Agenda 21chapter 13: Sustainable mountain development FAO progress report

Complex environmental and socio-economic problems affect many of the world's mountain areas. In countries such as Nepal, Ethiopia and Peru mountain communities are among the world's poorest populations. With the growing emigration of males in search of employment, much of the subsistence farming is now performed by women and children. Frequently, farmers lack legal title to land and have little access to finance, extension advice or decision-making processes. Mountain populations are often neglected in programmes for education, health and infrastructure.

Agenda 21/Chapter 13 calls for action to improve our knowledge of mountain ecosystems, to foster integrated watershed development and to create alternative livelihood opportunities for mountain peoples. However, international agencies lack programmes for integrating mountain development in national economies; at the country level, government agencies and legislation rarely deal in a comprehensive way with mountain issues.

Action for sustainable mountain development must begin with recognition that long-term conservation of mountain areas is not simply a matter of creating lowland industries to encourage upland depopulation. Sustainability depends on increased technical assistance and services and empowerment of mountain people through land titling, improved social organization, decentralization and job creation. Women need special assistance, through reproductive health and nutrition services, literacy programmes and involvement in technology development and transfer.