La gestión integrada de los recursos hídricos: una necesidad de estos tiempos.

The integrated water resources management (IWRM) constitutes the current paradigm of worldwide water administration, becoming explicit in national policies at global level. The integrated management of water resources looks for guiding the development of public policies regarding water resources, through conciliation between socio-economic development and protection of ecosystems. This concept has evolved running through various development stages; however, the elaboration of a universally consensual proposal of its definition and conceptualization keeps on unresolved. This paper presents the main lines of action which are being worked internationally and in Cuba to reach the goals proposed in this new model of water resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]