NATIONAL POLICY FOR WATER RESOURCES: SOME IMPLICATIONS FOR AMAZON REGION

Abstract

The management of the Amazonian water resources is imposed as a basic principle for the definition of integrated actions and strategies a process for the sustainable development of the region. Some of the components come from research oriented to: increase knowledge of regional flora, the origin and dynamics of the rain that forms the hydrological cycle. To understand the instability (fragility) of this equilibrium mean to know the relationships between abundant rain and natural vegetation initiating the chains of the greatest biodivertsity in the world and natural laboratories dealing wich biotechnology. This knowledge is important to take advantage of current opportunities and sustain the development process with its added new advantages. Problems arise from the shortage, dispersion and/or lack of information on flora, fauna, man and the water of the Amazon complex system with global implications. The aspect higlighted in this synthesis is that of the principles and instruments of the water resource policy which orient integrated management actions. The main part of the paper is made up of the principles, criteria and aims of the National Water Resource Policy and need to adjust its content to such instruments as the development plant for hydrological basins. Data is presented together with a hydrological diagnostic higlighting government actions in water resources in order to broaden knowledge of reality. Due to the characteristics of the hydrological system, the synthesis calls attention for the need to effectivate joint action and strategies of the panamazonian countries.