Watershed Management in Action: Lessons Learned from FAO Field Projects

Watershed management has gained momentum over the past decade as a holistic way of conserving water, land and biodiversity resources while sustaining livelihoods. This publication looks at how 12 projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America are using the approach to devise local solutions to global challenges. In Ecuador’s Mount Chimborazo for example, pilot schemes were put in place to compensate upstream inhabitants for sustaining ecosystem services, targeting users such as the hydroelectric company and flower nurseries. In Pakistan’s earthquake-affected areas, a watershed management project contributed not only to the rehabilitation of roads and irrigation channels but also to the diversification of food and income sources. These and other examples are presented in the publication, which looks at both the strengths and weaknesses of the approach and highlights the need for stronger governance and long-term sustainability.