Guiding Principles in Watershed Management

GUIDING PRINCIPLES IN WATERSHED MANAGEMENT

by Antonio C. Antonio

March 7, 2015

In our environment and natural resources management concerns, it is critical to spend quality time looking into the importance of watersheds and watershed management.  “Watershed Management is the study of the relevant characteristics of a watershed aimed at the sustainable distribution of its resources and the process of creating and implementing plans, programs and projects to sustain and enhance watershed functions that affect the plant, animal and human communities within a watershed boundary.  The features of a watershed that can be the subject to management include water supply, water quality, drainage, stormwater runoff and water rights.” (Antonio, 2015)

The sustainable use of watershed resources should be based on the following key guiding principles (Cruz, 2002):

ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY:  Utilization and development of a watershed’s natural resources should be undertaken in a manner that is compatible with the maintenance and/or enhancement of essential ecological processes, biological diversity and the natural resource base.  Thus all technologies and production processes used should have a beneficial environmental impact.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY:  Utilization and development of a watershed’s resources should be undertaken in a manner that will increase people’s control over their lives, is compatible with the culture and values of the people affected by it, maintains and strengthens community identity and ensures that the costs and benefits are shared equitably between and within communities and individual households.

ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY:  Utilization and development of a watershed’s natural resources should be undertaken in a manner that is economically efficient (therefore, the benefits are commensurate with the costs) and which ensure that resources are used and managed in a way that will retain their potential to support future generations.  It also means optimizing both the tangible and intangible economic benefits for the greatest number of people while ensuring (as far as the needs for sustainability of the watershed’s natural resources permit) that no one suffers economic hardships.

INSTITUTIONAL SUSTAINABILITY:  Community-based organizations, NGOs, LGUs and national institutions responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring watershed resources management activities should have the capability (financial and skilled human resources) to sustain delivery of services.

These are the guiding principles in watershed management.

Just my little thoughts.

SOURCES AND REFERENCES:

Villanueva, T. R., (2002). Upland Ecosystem Management, 2^nd Edition. University of the Philippines Open University

Antonio, A. C., (2015). Watershed Management. Retrieved 7^th of March 2015 from http://antonantonio.blodspot.com/

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