Watershed development [antikvár]

INTRODUCTION In many countries special attention has been paid recently to comprehensive area development. Governments, national and international organizations and financing agencies have recognized that development of individual or specific components may result in only partial solutions to the overall problems. For example, it would be unwise to limit investment to constructing a road if there be nothing to transport. If however, as a result of agricultural and industrial development, quick and easy access to and from an area is needed, the lack of a road could prevent or impede the desired development. Similar examples are common in practically every development activity, but it is noteworthy that the "patchwork" approach is now gradually being replaced by a comprehensive approach in solving problems, whether they be local, national or regional in nature. There may be political or other constraints which may influence development policies, but these should always be related to the basic objectives of improving the country's economy and living conditions of its people. Whatever the magnitude of a comprehensive development plan may be, it will only be possible to fully achieve its goals by consideration of all lands, their potential capabilities for development and reclamation, their possible contribution to food, fuel and timber production, their hydrology, irrigation water supply, susceptibility to floods, droughts, and other natural hazards such as erosion or siltation. Also, their requirements for transport, storage, marketing and processing, improvements of the living conditions of their people and the general socio-economic environment, such as credit facilities, cooperatives, health and education services. Most of these factors are related to the nature of the drainage basin, and the extent to which improvement activities are coordinated within its boundaries. Area development can be implemented within any boundary selected by its planners, but planning of physical improvements, infrastructure or the mobilization of human resources will suffer serious restrictions unless carried out viithin natural boundaries - a large watershed or its independent tributaries (sub-watersheds). It is also important Lo note that area development plans can be executed gradually, sub-watershed by sub-watershed. Thus the development period can be spread over a number of years according to availability of finance and trained manpower. Subsequent maintenance is essential to ensure that natural hazards will not endanger the completed works and improvements. If and when all sub-watersheds have been treated and developed one by one, and the main tributary or river has also been improved, then the complete plan will have been implemented in a systematic manner and be based on sound technical and socio-economic principles.