Conservation as a tool for development in tropical countries

Abstract

Conservation, as practised in developed nations, has little chance to be understood in those parts of the world where pressure of growing population on land resources is heavy, and where rising expectations include visions of an industrial economy. In countries where such basic human needs as land for crops or pasture, and food, are inadequately filled, little public attention can be expected for such important environmental factors as maintenance of diversity, preservation of the choice of options, and achievement of a balance between man and his environment. However, the desire for development, for ‘Improvement’, is great, and hope is seen in the idea that conservation can be a tool for development, especially in those areas of the world where a wide choice of options still exists. Tropical countries, especially, can profit greatly through careful exploitation of a number of these resources. Among the ways are promotion of scientific research and scientific tourism, promotion of social, cultural and aesthetic values, promotion of educational values, and development of tourism based on such assets as wildlife. Serious social inequities resulting from faulty policies or practices can be corrected, but to do so man must come to grips with the fundamental problem, which is to successfully stage the right kind of environmental revolution, out of which can come the right kind of development with conservation as an essential tool for its promotion. It is also becoming evident that something to replace nationalism is essential if a balance between man and his environment, which transcends national broders in all its complex natural aspects, is to be reached.