Final summary report : watershed management project - Panama

(EI), on a project to improve the capability of the Panamanian National Directorate of Natural and Renewable Resources (RENARE) to plan and implement watershed management programs and promote the rational use of renewable natural resources. Over the course of the project, RENARE made considerable strides in institutional capacity, particularly in planning capabilities and in upgrading personnel. RENARE received some 90 person-months of TA. Eighteen RENARE staff members were provided with either U.S. (15) or third-country (6) training, 12 received English-language training, and all staff attended inservice seminars on, e.g., watershed management, soil and water conservation, agroindustrial development in tropical rainforests, agroforestry, life zones, and land use capacity. In addition, EI prepared leaflets, technical papers, species lists, special reports, and manuscripts on various watershed management topics for RENARE"s use. With EI assistance, RENARE prepared detailed work plans for tropical forestry, agroforestry, and watershed management programs, and conducted valuable ecological studies in the Panama Canal, Rio La Villa, and Rio Caldera watersheds. The studies provided a new methodology for determining baseline ecological data on watershed land use capacity, identified and delineated life zones in the watersheds, and described representative associations based on soil and vegetable studies; land use capacity maps were developed. Some 2,500 ha of fruit and forest trees were planted in the Canal Watershed, and an additional 1,000 ha nationwide. Recommendations are made with regard to RENARE"s: (1) role in promoting strong natural resource policies and legislation; (2) continued institutional development, especially its administrative competence and organizational structure; and (3) planning and implementation of programs in conservation, land use management, and forestry, and (more briefly) in plant production, wood technology, and parks. The need for local community involvement is natural resource programs is stressed.