The World Conservation Union

The Future of Sustainability: Have Your Say!

Week One - “Global Challenges to Sustainability in the Twenty-First Century”
Comment / Comentario / Commentaire

 

Kaleem Bacha, Senior Conservancy Facilitator, MACP-NWFP-IUCNP

Moderating team: Kaleem Bacha argues that resource degradation is often discussed but its causes are often ignored, in particular the needs of local dependent communities. To protect natural resources, local communities need to be empowered and supported by government policies.

Kaleem Bacha expone la importancia de evaluar las causas de la degradación. Para la protección de los recursos naturales, las comunidades locales necesitan empoderamiento y apoyo por parte de las políticas gubernamentales.

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Yes agree with the challenges but I like to say something more which is ignored

  1. We often talk about resources and its degradation but we do not talk about its causes. In certain countries with rich resources potential, communities are not involved in the protection of natural resources. These countries do not have strong departments/staff for that and do not act actively. As a result, lack of awareness, lack of community organizations, and lack of proper support to these organizations. Therefore neither communities nor Govt. take proper action to protect the natural resources.

  2. The only solution seems to be involvement of local communities and building their capacities and empowering them duly supported by Govt. policies. Therefore, participatory approaches seem the only solution.

  3. It is also evident that natural resources are in danger but we also observe that rural poor is more dependent on biodiversity. If no other alternatives are provided the situation will be more difficult.

  4. The problem cannot be solved with messages but it is the time to involve local communities for sustainable uses of biodiversity.

  5. The world conservation union should start a full fledge social mobilization campaign in each region of the world with some incentives to the communities and at the same time legislation is also proposed. We talk about resources but we ignore the problems of the stakeholders.