The policy and legal frameworkWater

The policy and legal framework
Watershed management works best when there is a supportive policy and legal framework, particularly:
(a) policies that facilitate decentralized and participatory development; (b) institutional arrangements that allow and encourage public agencies at all levels to work together; and (c) an approach to access to natural resources that reflects local legislation and tenure practices and problems. Land tenure and common pool resources are a particular challenge for watershed management, and there needs to be a clear understanding of the policy and legal framework and local practices and of how a project can work within this framework to promote investment. Operations can also help in the process of preparing for and implementing reforms.
Watershed management works best when there is a supportive policy and legal framework, particularly (a) policies that facilitate decentralized and participatory development; (b) institutional arrangements that allow and encourage public agencies at all levels to work together; and (c) an approach to access to natural resources that reflects local legislation and tenure practices and problems. Projects may need to contribute to the development of more supportive policy frameworks.
A supportive policy and strategic framework is needed for watershed management. A number
of important policies are required if an integrated approach to watershed development is to be adopted, particularly policies that facilitate decentralized and participatory development. These policies need to allow, for example, for decentralized planning and budgeting, for empowerment of communities to take a lead role in decisions on financial and physical resource allocation, and for difficult “matrix” arrangements for collaboration between public agencies at all levels.
In addition, projects may require agreement to changing policies on access to and use of public assets, for example, on use of publicly owned natural forests by local communities. Two particular areas of public policy have proved vital to effective watershed management: land tenure and policy on common pool resource management.
Results from the Project Review
the importance of supportive policies was highlighted by most projects reviewed, but few projects included support to government to develop an improved framework.
The importance of a supportive policy framework was highlighted by most projects reviewed, but in only a few cases was a component included in a project to help policy analysis and to develop a more supportive policy and legal framework. One project that did include a component of
this kind was the Mali natural Resource Management Project, which supported the development of the national environmental Action Plan. Another case is the Indonesia project, which had
a large component (US$22 million) to help improve guidelines, policies, overall coordination, and operational support for the national Watershed Development Program (Regreening and Reforestation).
Land tenure was a major determinant for success or failure of land improvement activities in many of the projects reviewed.
In all the projects reviewed where land tenure was insecure, the local people were unwilling
to invest in medium- or long-term land improvement. This delayed several projects. In one case—Turkey eastern Anatolia Project—the lack of understanding in project design of existing legislation on rangeland ownership led to the failure of the pasture improvement component. Only toward the end of the project was more supportive legislation on rangelands introduced. By contrast, where favorable land tenure reforms were introduced, this created strong incentives for