CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
Environmental resources may be defined as phenomena (natural, organic and inorganic) which are developed to support man and meet his needs for goods and services within his environment (Areola et al., 2019). The four main types of environmental resources are atmospheric, water, vegetation and mineral resources (the last two derived from land). These are called resources because they are useful to man. This means that every natural element found in the environment which is of use to man is a resource. Gautam and Rostogi (2012) defined resources as “features of the environment which are considered to be capable of serving man’s needs. They are given utility by capabilities and wants of man”. Maigari (2010), defines resource management as: “a process of decision making whereby resources are allocated over space and time, according to the needs, aspirations and desire of man within the framework of his technological inventiveness, political and social institutions, legal and administrative framework”. Resource management may therefore involve the overall planning of the development and use of resources. Environmental resource management is thus the management of resources found in the environment. Resources are a necessary ingredient for development. Mayhew (2017) defines development as “the use of resources to improve the standard of living of the people in a nation”. The management of environmental resources is important for the development of a nation. The future of national development depends on the ability to use environmental resources sustainably and thus be self-reliant. Self-reliance is a condition of relying on one-self without depending on someone. One of the greatest development challenges facing the world is meeting the rising demand for food while maintaining the sustainability of the natural resource base. Increases in per capita income, population growth, and urbanisation are expected to double global food demand in the next 40–50 years. The demand for cereals is estimated to increase from 1.9 billion tonnes (t) in 1997 to 2.5 billion (t) as at last year 2020 and for meat from 209 million t to 327 million (t) (Rosegrant et al., 2011). These trends in food demand have important implications for natural resources that provide essential support to life and economic processes. Natural resource management (NRM) aims for the efficient and sustainable utilization of renewable and non-renewable natural resources.
