Involving local people in water management

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Agenda 21 recommends encouraging the local population, especially women, youth, indigenous people and local communities, in water management.

1. Local communities must be the watchdogs of our waterways and must establish principles that oversee the use of this precious resource.

1. Strengthening role of indigenous communities for sustainable development
2. Providing extension services to support local environmental management
3. Protecting indigenous habitats
4. Managing water
5. Involving local populations
6. Delegating community responsibility for water
7. Decentralizing power

1. Using indigenous methods to maximize local involvement in drinking water supply and sanitation
2. Improving water supply in rural communities
3. Ensuring local participation in coastal zone management

1. Strengthening preventative and curative health services for indigenous people
2. Providing sanitary water supply

1. Employing local people

1. Nonlocal
2. Mismanagement