Poland, Chairman and Editor, prepared this guide in 1984 funded and published by the UNESCO International Hydrological Program, Working Group 8.4. The Preface indicates that although the total amount of water on earth is generally assumed to have remained virtually constant, the rapid growth of population, together with the extension of irrigated agriculture and industrial development, are stressing the quantity and quality aspects of the natural system. Because of the increasing problems, man has begun to realize that he can no longer follow a "use and discard" philosophy--either with water resources or any other natural resource.
As a result, the need for a consistent policy of rational management of water resources has become evident. Rational water management, however, should be founded upon a thorough understanding of water availability and movement. Thus, as a contribution to the solution of the world's water problems, Unesco, in 1965, began the first world wide program of studies of the hydrological cycle--the International Hydrological Decade ( IHD) . The research program was complemented by a major effort in the field of hydrological education and training.
The activities undertaken during the Decade proved to be of great interest and value to Member States. By the end of that period, a majority of Unesco's Member States had formed IHD National Committees to carry out relevant national activities and to participate in regional and international co-operation within the IHD program. The knowledge of the world's water resources had substantially improved. Hydrology became widely recognized as an independent professional option and facilities for the training of hydrologists had been developed.
Conscious of the need to expand upon the efforts initiated during the International Hydrological Decade and, following the recommendations of Member States, Unesco, in 1975, launched a new long-term intergovernmental programme, the International Hydrological Program (IHP), to follow the Decade. Although the IHP is basically a scientific and educational program, Unesco has been aware from the beginning of a need to direct its activities toward the practical solutions Of the world's very real water resources problems. Accordingly, and in line with the recommendations of the 1977 United Nations Water Conference, the objectives of the International Hydrological Program have been gradually expanded in order to cover not only hydrological processes considered in interrelationship with the environment and human activities, but also the scientific aspects of multi-purpose utilization and conservation of water resources to meet the needs of economic and social development. Thus, while maintaining IHP' s scientific concept, the objectives have shifted perceptibly towards a multidisciplinary approach to the assessment, planning, and rational management of water resources.
As part of Unesco's contribution to the objectives of the IHP, two publication series are issued: "Studies and Reports in Hydrology" and "Technical Papers in Hydrology. In addition to these publications, and in order to expedite exchange of information in the areas in which it is most needed, works of a preliminary nature are issued in the form of Technical Documents. The purpose of the continuing series "Studies and Reports in Hydrology" to which this volume belongs, is to present data collected and the main results of hydrological studies, as well as to provide information on hydrological research techniques. The proceedings of symposia are also sometimes included. It is hoped that these volumes will furnish material of both practical and theoretical interest to water resources scientists and also to those involved in water resources assessments and the planning for rational water resources management.
[Also in this series of UNESCO publications, see: Ground Water in Hard Rocks, also published in 1984: in https://i2mconsultants.com/downloads/ela-iet/GWinHardRxUNESCO.pdf indicating contributions, and in https://i2mconsultants.com/downloads/corp/063230engo.pdf from the UNESCO library.
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