Natural Resource Management for Eco-Development and Livelihood Security

Overexploitation and improper management of natural resources cause threat to the sustainability of production systems and lead to environmental degradation. Conservation of natural resources is an issue of utmost concern for sustainable development and improvement of livelihood securities. Towards this, several programmes/schemes of state/central Govts. are being implemented in the country with major focus on participatory watershed management. South India covers an area of about 64.46 M ha (19.6% of the country’s geographical area) and supports 23 per cent of the total population of the country. It is endowed with much diversified and potentially rich natural resources. Different estimates show that about 16-47 per cent area suffers from different land degradation problems in South India. Much valuable research and developmental activities have already been undertaken in the field of Natural resource management in the southern region. But the role of the natural processes and controls, their complexities and diversities, specially the impacts of human activities on land degradation, availability of water, sustainability of production systems and upland-lowland linkages are poorly understood. Further, it has been realized that there is a strong need to have more coordinated and integrated approach to area specific and need based research, technology development and training and involvement of communities in natural resource management through capacity building and institutional support. With this background, a conference on ‘Natural Resource Management for Eco-Development and Livelihood Security in Southern India" (NRMELSI-2005) was organized to bring together researchers, scientists, policy makers, planners, administrators, NGOs and stakeholders on a common platform to share and discuss technological advancements, experiences and other issues related to natural resource management in South India. In all, 112 registered delegates, many invited resource persons, experts, research managers and policy planners participated in the two days deliberations covering 12 states, 29 ICAR institutes and NRCs, 5 SAUs and 24 central and state agencies including NGOs. A total of 78 papers including key note addresses and posters were presented. The deliberations in the conference were brought out in the form of recommendations which could help formulating a policy framework for improving the efficiency and efficacy of ongoing and forthcoming resource conservation programmes in southern states of the country to support quality life of the masses.