Down to earth technology.

PIP: There are constant problems with the water supply in northern Cote d'Ivoire. For example, wells have been abandoned because the pump stands are damaged and the wells contain no water during the dry season. Rural women usually can collect enough surface water during the rainy season, but during the dry season, they dig shallow wells for groundwater. Regardless of the water source, the water tends to be contaminated, resulting in diarrhea, schistosomiasis, and dysentery. Failed attempts in the past to drill productive wells (e.g, 50-60% of wells dug between 1973-1985 are inoperable) and the needs to find water sources have led researchers from Canada and the Cote d'Ivoire to develop a geographic information system (GIS) for the Marahoue River basin (12,000 square km). This basin receives little precipitation and the pre-Cambrian bedrock does not hold much water. This GIS system contains hydrological, geological, and geophysical data and remote sensing data collected from satellite. It can locate the best possible sites for drilling wells based on an analysis of fractures in the bedrock (the greater the density of clusters of fractures, the greater the probability of pinpointing productive water sources). Now GIS specialists can site 100 to 200 wells daily in the northern Cote d'Ivoire. This system is also capable of finding mineral deposits (e.g. diamonds are common in the Marahoue River basin). Despite the capabilities of this GIS system, water quality differs and pumping mechanisms still can become damaged. Nevertheless, this technology can be used to identify water sources in other developing countries, including countries in Africa, such as Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.^ieng

Conservation reaches new heights.

PIP: The conservation program with the management assistance of the Woodlands Mountain Institute in 2 contiguous parks, the Mount Everest National Park in Nepal and the Qomolangma Nature Reserve in China, in 2 countries is described. The focus is on conservation of the complex ecosystem with sustainable development by showing local people how to benefit from the park without environmental damage. Cultural diversity is as important as biological diversity. The area has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site with the "last pure ecological seed" of the Himalayas. The regional geography and culture are presented. Population growth has impacted natural resources through overgrazing, cultivation of marginal land, and deforestation; future plans to build a dam and road bordering the nature reserve pose other threats. Proposed management plans for the Makalu-Barun Nature Park (established in November 1991) and Conservation Area include a division of the park into nature reserve areas free of human activity, protected areas which permit traditional land use, and special sites and trail for tourists and religious pilgrims. The conservation area will act as a buffer for the park and provide economic opportunities; further subdivisions include land use for biodiversity protection, community forest and pasture, agroforestry, and agriculture and settlement. Efforts will be made to increase the welfare of women and local people; proposed projects include the introduction of higher milk-producing animals for stall feeding. Also proposed is a cultural and natural history museum. 70% of the project's resources will be directed to local community participation in consultation and park maintenance. The project is a model of how conservation and protection of natural resources can coexist with local economic development and participation; an integration of preservation of biological diversity, mountain wisdom, and the value of local people as resources for conservation.^ieng