These conflicts over natural resources are largely fueled by the dual goals of the government and the community for both the preservation of and utilization of protected zones, and the political and economic value of natural resources that has also increased inter-ethnic tensions and struggles with a particular focus on how management affects the quality of life for both present and future generations (stewardship).
Natural resource management issues have attracted increasing attention in recent decades, particularly in Asia, partly in response to a sequence of crises in energy, food, water, and other resources. Effective Governance and Management of resources have always been important, but have become increasingly challenging in the face of changing climate, livelihoods, and market pressures. Many Asian countries have compromised their natural resource base for the sake of development, and are consequently facing various environmental challenges.
The pressure on natural resources has potentially been aggravated by the development of infrastructure, advancement in extraction techniques, and expanding product markets that enlarge extraction opportunities for concession holders as well as local populations. Under such circumstances, the quality of land, water, and forest is threatened, and the regenerating capacity of resources is hardly guaranteed. The haphazard use, and the conflicts over use, of natural resources pose serious threats to the viability and sustainability of the natural resources in Asia.
