Project assistance completion report (PACR) : ASEAN watershed project

An interim evaluation found that the original project objective of developing a regional research network was unsuitable and called for a shift in emphasis to training and information exchange. In response, the project provided a wide range of educational activities, including graduate studies in the United States and Southeast Asia for 11 students, 5 seminars, 6 workshops, 11 training courses, 3 study tours, and a symposium. The 972 professionals who participated in the training activities have contributed to better management of watershed resources and enhanced cooperation among national watershed agencies. The project also produced a number of publications, including technical manuals for each participating country. Several lessons were learned. (1) Projects covering broad areas such as watershed management should identify and concentrate on a few important problem areas. (2) It would be useful to assemble watershed management information into a training manual for university students, professionals, and technicians. (3) Courses should cover basic principles of socio-economic measurement, incentives, market and infrastructure development, economic production functions, cost-benefit analyses, and case studies. (4) Symposia are costly and have limited impact on watershed management research and skills.