NNEP main page

Looking to the Future from the Past & Present

Environmental conditions have largely fashioned the uses of land, farming practices and social and economic circumstances that are seen today. Those conditions have also promoted a need to diversify and increase sources of income which, along with a large population of people and the shortage of land on which to farm, have resulted in severe demands on natural resources. High levels of degradation, shortages of natural resources and competition for remaining resources are a consequence of these demands. Poor households, most of which are squeezed into the Cuvelai where resources are in shortest supply, suffer most because they seldom have alternative sources of income. There are few options for making changes to the use of land by zoning it for different purposes, but there is a great need for change in the policies, practices and attitudes towards land use. The future of both people and the natural environment can be expected to improve if those changes are made.

Illustrations:

• Predicted population growth

• Pressures on natural resources

• Proposed wildlife and forest conservancies

To view the illustration in more detail, click on the thumbnail.

Predicted population growth in the region between 2000 and 2021 (84 KB)
download jpg image

Pressures on natural resources in the region (356 KB)
download jpg image

Proposed wildlife and forest conservancies (98 KB)
download jpg image

Back to Top