INTEGRATED APPROACHES FOR SUSTAINABLE NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: A GLOBAL REVIEW

Abstract

Land, water, forests, biodiversity and minerals are natural resources which are important for people's health, socio economic development, and environmental sustainability. But in recent years, these resources have been strained worldwide as a result of fast population growth, urbanization, climate change, deforestation, land degradation and water scarcity. Hence, a holistic approach to natural resource management has become a promising way to ensure sustainable use of the natural resources and environmental resilience in the long term. This review considers the primary integrated strategies implemented worldwide for managing natural resources sustainably, and their contribution to the current environmental problems. The review emphasizes sustainable forest management, watershed management, agroforestry, climate-smart natural resource management, conservation of biodiversity, and community based natural resource management. These methods include strategies for resource-use efficiency, ecosystem restoration and soil and water conservation; carbon sequestration and livelihood enhancement. Special attention is given to the importance of participatory governance, indigenous knowledge systems, ecosystem-based adaptation and nature-based solutions for promoting environmental sustainability. The review also addresses the increasing use of sophisticated technologies including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS) and digital monitoring technologies for resource assessment, planning and management. Moreover, policy and institutional supports for integrated NRM at international level are explored. The results showed that integrated and participatory management strategies have a significant positive impact on the resilience of the ecosystem, conservation of biodiversity, water security, adaptation to climate change and sustainable livelihoods. But the policy conflicts, institutional coordination problems, budgetary limitations and growing population pressure remain key challenges in the effective implementation. The review concludes that the use of multidisciplinary, technology-based and community-based approaches are crucial for sustainable natural resource management and to reach the global environmental and development goals.