NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

COMSATS INSTITUTE OF
INFORMATIOM
TECHNOLOGY
ABBOTTABAD

Assignment No.2

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 NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Title: - NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN

Submitted by Muhammad Amin.

Submitted to Dr. Muhammad Irshad.

Course Environment and Development.

Registration No. CIIT/SP15 – R07-012/ATD.

Submitted On 21 –Oct- 2015.

Department of Environmental sciences CIIT Abbottabad.

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Contents
Natural resources...........................................................................................................................................................3
Types of Natural Resources.........................................................................................................................................4

Natural resources are derived from the environment. Some of the resources are essential to survival, while others

merely satisfy societal wants. Every man-made product in an economy is composed of natural resources to some

degree............................................................................................................................................................................ 4

List of Natural Resources:...........................................................................................................................................5

What is 'natural resource management'?......................................................................................................................5
Forests Management.....................................................................................................................................................6
Progress of Tree Planting Campaigns............................................................................................................................7

Federal Forestry Board..................................................................................................................................................7

WILDLIFE PROTECTION...........................................................................................................................................8

PROTECTED AREAS/ NATIONAL PARKS MANAGEMENT.................................................................................8

References.....................................................................................................................................................................9

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Natural resources

“Natural resources are useful raw materials that we get from the Earth. They occur naturally, which means
that humans cannot make natural resources. Instead, we use and modify natural resources in ways that are
beneficial to us. The materials used in human-made objects are natural resources. Some examples of natural
resources and the ways we can use them”

Every moment of our lives we use the resources that nature provides. We breathe the air that encircles our
earth. e eat plants grown in the soil and other living species. We use vegetation for food, pasture and shelter.
We live in houses made from wood that was once trees, brick that was once clay, steel that was once
minerals in the earth. We drink water that falls from the heavens and use it to irrigate the land. We use
energy provided by coal and oil or the sun.

We depend on nature to supply all our basic needs - air, food, water, shelter, warmth, energy - yet few of us
consciously acknowledge these gifts or think about the price nature pays for such generosity.

If we are to be a truly sustainable society we need to understand the impacts our lives have on nature and the
resources it provides. We need to make decisions that minimise our impact so that the natural systems we are
part of can continue and in turn our own lives. Scientists and primary producers are working together to
better manage our soil, water, vegetation and biodiversity so that we have food to eat, fibre to use and a
natural world to live in.

One way to achieve this is to recognise that as consumers we have enormous power in deciding how nature is
treated. Rather than buy something for its image or price, we can ask ourselves, ‘Was this item produced
with respect for the environment, or with minimal impact on the environment?’ To be able to answer this
question we need to know more about the production method, e need more information so that we can make
informed consumption choices that benefit, not destroy, the resources nature provides.

Buying direct from producers is another way consumers can make informed choices about their food. Local
food systems such as farmers’ markets, community-supported agriculture and farm retail outlets bring
consumers in direct contact with producers. Farmers can explain how the food is grown, and consumers can
provide feedback about what they do or don’t like. From producers to consumers, natural resource
management is everyone’s business.

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Types of Natural Resources

Natural resources are derived from the environment. Some of the resources are essential to survival, while
others merely satisfy societal wants. Every man-made product in an economy is composed of natural
resources to some degree.

There are numerous ways to classify the types of natural resources, they include the source of origin, the
state of development, and the renewability of the resources.

 In terms of the source of origin, natural resources can be divided into the following typesBiotic: these
resources come from living and organic material, such as forests and animals, and include the materials
that can be obtained them. Biotic natural resources also include fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum
which are formed from organic matter that has decayed.

 Abiotic: these resources come from non-living and non-organic material. Examples of these resources
include land, fresh water, air, and heavy metals (gold, iron, copper, silver, etc.).

Natural resources can also be categorized based on their stage of development including:

 Potential resources: these are resources that exist in a region and may be used in the future. For example,
if a country has petroleum in sedimentary rocks, it is a potential resource until it is actually drilled out of
the rock and put to use.
 Actual resources: these are resources that have been surveyed, their quantity and quality has been
determined, and they are currently being used. The development of actual resources is dependent
on technology.
 Reserve resources: this is the part of an actual resource that can be developed profitably in the future.
 Stock resources: these are resources that have been surveyed, but cannot be used due a lack of
technology. An example of a stock resource is hydrogen.

 Natural resources are also classified based on their renewability:

 Renewable natural resources: these are resources that can be replenished. Examples of renewable
resources include sunlight, air, and wind. They are available continuously and their quantity is not
noticeably affected by human consumption. However, renewable resources do not have a rapid recovery
rate and are susceptible to depletion if they are overused.

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 Non-renewable natural resources: these resources form extremely slow and do not naturally form in the
environment. A resource is considered to be non-renewable when their rate of consumption exceeds the
rate of recovery. Examples of non-renewable natural resources are minerals and fossil fuels.

List of Natural Resources:

Natural
Products or Services
Resource

Air Wind energy, tires

Foods (milk, cheese, steak, bacon) and clothing (wool

Animals
sweaters, silk shirts, leather belts)

Coal Electricity

Minerals Coins, wire, steel, aluminum cans, jewelry

Natural gas Electricity, heating

Oil Electricity, fuel for cars and airplanes, plastic

Plants Wood, paper, cotton clothing, fruits, vegetables

Sunlight Solar power, photosynthesis

Water Hydroelectric energy, drinking, cleaning

Forest tress

What is 'natural resource management'?

Natural resource management is the taking care of natural resources such as land, water, marine and
biological systems, with a particular focus on how the management affects the quality of life for both present
and future generations. It’s about the long-term implications of actions - thinking about the future and not
just about now.

For primary producers, natural resource management means taking into account the climate, soils, water,
vegetation and organisms when making decisions about the land they manage. The goal is sustainability -
balancing social (people and communities), economic (money and jobs) and environmental (land, water, air
and living things) factors to make sure that our children and grandchildren can equally benefit from our
natural resources.

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Our social, economic and environmental wellbeing depends on the sustainable management of natural
resources. In fact, in many instances, the goal is to leave a better natural environment for people in the future
than what we have today! It’s possible to see this happen, with modern science and research and adopting
new primary production techniques.

Forests Management

Recently, the Government reviewed forest management and set the following guidelines to ensure
sustainable forest management, rapid afforestation and enforcement of forest laws:

 Long-term forest working plans should be prepared in consultation with the local communities and in
accordance with the guidelines issued by the Federal Government from time to time. The Federal
Government in consultation with the Provincial Forest Departments will review the implementation of
the working plans periodically. The Federal Forestry Board (FFB) will be activated for this purpose as
well as to monitor changes in Forest Cover and to formulate and review Forest Policy, institutional
arrangements, etc;
 Commercial felling of trees from any forest area without a sustainable working plan should not be
carried out;
 The depleted forest areas should be protected and a programme of afforestation be developed;
 Forest harvest shall only be carried out when funds to regenerate the cut-over area are assured.
Reforestation of cut over areas shall be carried out immediately after the completion of felling
operations along with strict enforcement of protection measures;
 Reserved forests of conifer types are not burdened with rights of the communities. Harvest of trees from
these natural forests should be restricted to hygienic felling only through Joint Forest Management
Committees where such committees exist. Rights of easement in such forests may be maintained;
 Timber of dead, dry and wind fallen trees should be immediately salvaged. In AJK, about 12 million of
timber is lying in forests logged by Azad Kashmir Logging and Saw Milling Corporation (AKLASC).
No commercial felling of forests in AJK may be undertaken till the timber is salvaged;
 In Northern Areas, movement and disposal of timber will be rationalized in consultation with the office
of I.G. Forests to avoid illicit cutting of forests;
 Where private ownership rights in forests are 60% or more, protection/management mechanisms may be
left to the communities under legal cover, which will be based on working plans. Management cost of
such forests should be borne by the communities out of income from timber sales. Forest Departments

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will continue to assist the village communities in preparation of sustainable working plans and to
monitor the activities regarding protection and management of their forests;
 A system of forest check posts should be strengthened with the assistance of civil administration and
Civil Armed Forces to monitor the movement of timber within the province. For inter-provincial
movement of wood, office of IGF will regulate in consultation with Provincial Forest Departments
including N.As and AJK;
 The forest offenders may be strictly dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Forest Laws. To deal
with forest offence cases, schedule of compensation and fines will be revised/rationalized; and
 A system of Monitoring and Evaluation of Forest Management may be established to monitor change in
forest cover in consultation with Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural Development
and Provincial Forest Departments.
 All Government Departments, NGOs, Educational Institutions, Local Communities and Forest owners
be involved in afforestation activities so as to increase the forest cover in the country.
 Institutional strengthening of Forest Department through necessary reforms focusing on transparency,
effective enforcement of laws, community participation and strict action against corrupt elements.
 Progress on implementation of the above decisions will be reviewed by the Federal Cabinet after one
year.
 A system of forest check posts should be strengthened with the assistance of civil administration and Civil Armed
Forces to monitor the movement of timber within the province. For inter-provincial movement of wood, office
of IGF will regulate in consultation with Provincial Forest Departments including N.As and AJK;
 The forest offenders may be strictly dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Forest Laws. To deal with
forest offence cases, schedule of compensation and fines will be revised/rationalized; and
 A system of Monitoring and Evaluation of Forest Management may be established to monitor change in forest
cover in consultation with Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural Development and Provincial
Forest Departments.
 All Government Departments, NGOs, Educational Institutions, Local Communities and Forest owners be involved
in afforestation activities so as to increase the forest cover in the country.
 Institutional strengthening of Forest Department through necessary reforms focusing on transparency, effective
enforcement of laws, community participation and strict action against corrupt elements.
 Progress on implementation of the above decisions will be reviewed by the Federal Cabinet after one year.

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Progress of Tree Planting Campaigns

Pakistan has a forest cover of 4.22 million ha. In order to enhance tree cover in the country, tree planting campaigns
are launched at the national level during Spring and Monsoon seasons. During tree planting campaigns all the
Government Departments, private organizations and NGOs are involved in planting activities.

Federal Forestry Board

The Central Forestry Board, which was constituted in 1954 to provide a platform for the improvement of Forest Policy

remained dormant for most of the time. This board has been re-constituted and named as “Federal Forestry Board
(FFB)”. The first meeting of the board was held in April 2001 to discuss various issues related to the Forestry Sector.
The board comprisesrepresentatives from the Provincial Forest Departments including AJK and Northern Areas,
NGOs, Progressive Farmers and other stakeholders. The purpose of the board is to develop policies and strategies
related to the Forestry Sector and also monitor the activities of the Provincial Forest Departments including the forest
cover changes, data taking place at the national level.

WILDLIFE PROTECTION

NCCW like the main Ministry i.e. Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural Development under the its
Minister tried to fulfill its functions efficiently, during the last one and half year. Since the Department gets the policy
guidelines from the Council headed by the Minister, it was necessary to hold meetings of NCCW more frequently to get

advice and report the progress on regular basis. During this period, two meetings of the Council i.e. in July 2000.
March 2001 and 7th August, 2001 were held. NCCW decided the issue of exemptions in the proposed ban on hunting.
The quota for trophy hunting of Markhor, Urial and Ibex was decided. It was also decided to ban the menace of bear
baiting.

PROTECTED AREAS/ NATIONAL PARKS MANAGEMENT

NCCW have encouraged the Provincial Wildlife Departments for better management of protected areas particularly
national parks of the country. After a consultative process, following national parks have been short listed for their
management at global standards:-

 Lal Sohanra National Park (Punjab).

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 Kirthar National Park (Sindh).

 Khunjerab National Park (Northern Areas).
 Chiltan Hazarganji National Park (Balochistan).
 Margallah Hills National Park (ICT).
 Chitral Gol National Park (NWFP).

Provincial Wildlife Departments are also being encouraged to bring more areas under the protected areas network.

References

1. Ashraf, M. (1992a) Forest Policy, Tenure, and Legislation. Background Paper for Forestry Sector
Master Plan of Pakistan. Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
2. Ashraf, M. (1992b) Forestry Institutions in Pakistan. Background Paper for Forestry Sector Master Plan
of Pakistan. Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
3. Azhar, R. A. (1993) Commons, Regulations, and Rent-seeking Behaviour: The Dilemma of Pakistan’s
Guzara Forests. Economic Development and Cultural Change 42:19 115–129.
4. Banuri, T., and F. A. Marglin (eds) (1993) Who Will Save the Forests? Knowledge, Power and
Environmental Destruction. London: Zed Books.
5. Barzel, Y. (1989) Economic Analysis of Property Rights. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

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