Natural Resource Management in East Africa: Strategies for Sustainable Use and Conservation

Sarah Joah Akello

School of Law Kampala International University, Uganda

ABSTRACT

Natural resource management (NRM) in East Africa is vital for sustainable development, economic growth, and community well-being, given the region’s rich ecosystems and resources. This article examines the sustainable management of forests, fisheries, and wildlife, the environmental impacts of extraction industries, and the role of community-based approaches in conservation. East Africa’s forests, crucial for carbon sequestration and biodiversity, face threats from deforestation and illegal logging, necessitating sustainable forestry practices and protected areas. Fisheries, essential for food security, are endangered by overfishing and habitat destruction, requiring sustainable fishing methods and marine protected zones. Wildlife conservation, critical for tourism and local economies, is challenged by habitat loss and poaching, highlighting the need for national parks and community conservation efforts. The extraction industries contribute to economic growth but cause environmental harm, emphasizing the importance of environmental assessments and rehabilitation measures. Community-based NRM empowers local communities to manage resources sustainably, aligning conservation with local interests. Additionally, climate change adaptation and mitigation, water resource management, biodiversity conservation, urban environmental challenges, sustainable agriculture, and environmental health are explored as integral components of NRM. Effective NRM strategies involving governments, communities, NGOs, and the private sector are essential for balancing resource use and conservation, ensuring a resilient future for East Africa.

Keywords: Natural Resource, Management, East Africa, Strategies, Sustainable, Conservation

CITE AS: Sarah Joah Akello (2024). Natural Resource Management in East Africa: Strategies for Sustainable Use and Conservation. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF LAW, COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGES 3(3):60-65.