Haiti country environmental profile : a field study

Resources are overexploited and trends toward further environmental deterioration are apparent everywhere. This profile assesses the country"s natural resource base, followed by analyses of major problems in the following areas: (1) agriculture, forestry, and peasant farming systems; (2) coastal and marine resources and fisheries; (3) conservation of wild flora and fauna; and (4) water supply, sanitation, pollution, and environmental health. Institutional, legal, and sociocultural factors affecting the environment are also discussed. The report states that the reversal of environmental degradation will be particularly difficult in Haiti for the following reasons: (1) the rural population is disorganized, uncooperative, and lacks confidence in government assistance; (2) the already overexploited resource base barely provides for the survival of the peasant population; and (3) the means for increasing productivity are virtually nonexistent, except irrigation. Although international donor involvement is increasing, these efforts need to be placed within a coherent and unified framework, with established priorities, defined strategies, and coordinated and evaluated programs. The paper presents a significant number of recommendations for a national conservation strategy. Includes 69 figures and 3 appendices.