l l l l
Poor knowledge about the environmental impact of human actions is a significant factor in many locations. Poor management at both central and local government levels may result in problems that can be at least partially rectified, not being addressed. Many degraded environments require substantial investment to bring in realistic solutions. Civil war has put back development by decades in some countries. Corruption and crime can also reduce the effectiveness of schemes to reduce environmental degradation.
The protection of environments at risk
Revised
At the most extreme, human activity and access can be totally banned, such as in Wilderness Areas, or extremely limited, as is usually the case in National Parks. However, in many areas it is usually necessary to sustain significant populations and rates of economic activity, particularly in developing countries. In these cases various types of sustainable development policies need to be implemented. Individual environments can be assessed in terms of: l needs – what needs to be done to reduce environmental degradation as far as possible without destroying the livelihoods of the resident population? l measures – what are the policies and practices that can be implemented to achieve these aims at various time scales? l outcomes – how successful have these policies been at different stages of their implementation? Have policies been modified to cope with initially unforeseen circumstances?
Now test yourself
12 Environmental management
l
Tested
9 Define environmental degradation. 10 Give two reasons why levels of pollution have generally declined in the developed world. 11 Distinguish between water-stressed areas and water-scarce areas. 12 How has agro-industrialisation degraded rural environments?
Answers on p.221
12.4 The management of a degraded environment Namibia is a poor and sparsely populated country in southwest Africa. (Figure 12.8) Environmental degradation and sustainability are significant issues in Namibia’s marginal landscapes. The government is attempting to tackle these issues and reduce poverty at the same time. The causes of degradation have been mainly uncontrolled exploitation by a low-income population and lack of management at all levels of government in earlier years. Namibia’s Communal Conservancy Program is regarded as a successful model of community-based natural resource management. The program gives rural communities unprecedented management and use rights over wildlife, which have created new incentives for communities to protect this valuable resource and develop economic opportunities in tourism.
NAMIBIA
Figure 12.8 Location of Namibia
Paper 3 Advanced Human Geography Options
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