the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ...

Figure 5.12: Veterinary Fences in the Ngamiland District
5.5 Summary and Conclusion
Source: Mendelsohn and el Obeid, 2004.
The daily activities of human beings, communities and countries are interrelated with
population change, patterns and levels of natural resource use, the state of the
environment, and the pace and quality of economic and social development.
Persistent and widespread poverty, as well as social and gender inequalities, have
significant influence on, and are in turn influenced by demographic parameters such
as population growth, structure and distribution. Similarly, unsustainable
consumption and production patterns contribute to the unsustainable use of natural
resources, leading to environmental degradation, hence reinforcing social
inequalities and poverty, which, in turn, have dire consequences for demographic
parameters. This is a vicious cycle which demonstrates the interconnectedness of
these variables and thus the interrelationships between population, sustained
economic growth, the environment and sustainable development (Republic of
Botswana National Development Plan 9, 2003).
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