Utilization and conservation of natural resources

Abstract

The development models that have been implemented in most Latin American countries are focused on technological development and the high use of natural resources, a product of the adoption of non-native forms of culture that generate false needs and expectations.   The current increase in the human population, the lack of planning in the distribution of its settlements and the aspirations for a better way of life of the growing population, exert strong pressures on natural areas and their resources.   In many of our Latin American countries, there are areas with considerable samples of tropical forest and other important ecosystems, which still have high biological diversity, but due to the lack of adequate policies for economic growth and development in the countries, there is strong pressure to cut down the last natural areas and incorporate them into national "development."   Thus, most environmental and conservation problems have their origin in socioeconomic problems, related to an unjust economic order, manifested in the poor distribution of available goods, services and technologies (including land).   Guatemala is small, but exceptionally diverse and like other third world countries, its natural resources are being rapidly altered due to physical, demographic and economic pressures.   Factors that deteriorate natural resources, such as loss of habitat due to colonization, cultivation of unsuitable lands, deforestation, expansion of livestock and agricultural frontiers; hunting, trafficking of wild species, pollution and the impact of war and militarization, have not yet been evaluated. On the other hand, within the Guatemalan national economic framework, natural resources have not been considered part of capital and so forest resources (wildlife), soil, water, fishing potential and others are not considered in the analysis and definition of economic policies.   Since their use is not considered, they are not assigned a depreciation value, resulting in the concealment of the deterioration suffered by natural resources and the repercussions of this.   The stability of our Latin American peoples depends on food stability and food production depends on the continuous availability of natural resources, adequate soils and water.   Based on the reality that natural resources have been the basis for the development of human communities, it is currently imperative to introduce substantial changes in the relationship between human populations, natural resources and development models.