This report was prepared to serve as a reference for managers, planners and engineers of the Ethio-Italian Cooperation, Arsi Bale Rural Development Project who seek general information on the climate hydrology and water resources of the Arsi and Bale zones

This report is ostensibly about land quality indicators (LQIs). However, anyone who reads it will find a useful compilation of advice, experience and opinion on why land quality information is important for sustainable development and how it can be used more effectively for planning and decision making. But the report also poses as many questions as it answers, which in itself reflects the diversity of viewpoints on indicators.

(Extract from Introduction)BRThis report elaborates the design of a local level natural resources monitoring and evaluation (MandE) system that assesses the status of the natural resources and the impact of development interventions on the status of the natural resources and the socio-economic systems of Somalia Using both conventional and participatory approaches, methods and tools. It incorporates the following: br• Ways to involve stakeholders in the Mand E process: br• A process for identifying indicative issues to be monitored in the various production systemsbr• A process for identifying indicators of change at local level in both the biophysical and socio-economic systemsbr• Appropriate participatory approaches, took, and methods for measuring changes in the selected indicatorsbr• A data storage and analysis system that harmonises the quantitative conventional monitoring data and the qualitative participatory monitoring data: br• A mechanism through which results of the MandE feed back into and strengthen the policy formulation, planning and management processes: br• Explores the linkages with macro level MandE system br• Requirements for implementation (personnel, training) are identified. The following questions guided formulation of the system: br• What is to be monitored: why/what is the monitoring intended to achievefor whom: what approach will be used? The system is designed to monitor impact of projects on both the natural resources and people, and to meet the needs and requirements of various stakeholders involved in the Rehabilitation Projects. These include donors, project staff and local communities. The proposed system builds on monitoring and evaluation methods and tools formulated and tested by IUCN and International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The principals of participatory planning designed by Andrew Inglis (IUCN, 1997) and the FAOandrsquos Community Forestry Manual 2 (FAO, 1993).

The strategic framework for sustainable resources management in Somalia aims to contribute towards and influence sustainable rehabilitation and development of Somalia for the immediate and long term benefit of the Somali People. It promotes the intergration of nature conserveation and sustainable resources management objctives and activities within socio-economic rehabilitation and development planning in Somalia, a war torn country