ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on watershed management which encompasses both soil conservation and social forestry. It presents general insights into the assessment of environmental problems in the Third World and development of strategies for dealing with those problems. It also focuses on the broad challenges that the individuals and agencies face attempting to mount resource conservation projects and programs. The book describes the developing theme stressed by other contributors enlisting the support of local populations that facilitates the efforts to protect threatened wildlands in several Latin American countries. It offers a sociologist's perspective on small fanners' and herders' resource management decisions and on the factors influencing that group's participation in conservation projects. The book shows that non-governmental organizations can play a crucial role in conservation projects.
