Natural Resource Management

Question: Discuss about the Natural Resource Management. Answer: Introduction: In Australia, NRM is managed by the department of Natural Resources and Mines. Their work involves sustainable and responsible use of the natural resources of the state like, water, land, minerals, and energy. Their policies and programs are directed towards the sustainable use of the natural resources keeping in mind the greater need of the community ("What we do", 2016). In Queensland, the natural resources are facing a lot of threats which need to be solved. The regional groups are trying their best to make judicious use of the natural resources ("www.rgc.org.au", 2016). The articles of Lockwood, and Lockwood and Davidson trace the governance principles and NRM policies followed in the Australian context. In the article of Lockwood, the author speaks of the eight principles on the basis of which NRM policies can be formed (Lockwood, 2010). In the article of Davidson and Lockwood, the current governance policies in Australia are discussed (Lockwood Davidson, 2009). Critical analysis: Article of Lockwood: The article of Lockwood deals mainly with the eight principles on the basis of which the NRM policies and programs are to be framed. These eight principles have been formed on the basis of the recommendations of the experts, principles gathered from related literature and articles and collecting data from thirteen Australian NRM government authorities (Lockwood, 2010). The eight principles are as follows: Legitimacy: The author states that legitimacy basically implies who is legally authorized to formulate the policies of NRM. In a democratic government the power generally rests with the Government. This power, however, can be delegated to local governments and statutory authorities. The legitimate authorities must prove their efficiency through the fulfillment of their responsibilities honestly (Lockwood, 2010). Transparency: Transparency refers to clarity in the decision making process and it also ensures that the information of the policies and programs is easily accessible to the stakeholders (Lockwood, 2010). Accountability: Accountability entails that the authorities are responsible for and performing their duties. There can be two kinds of accountability: vertical and horizontal. The author states that in case of Australia, accountability is one sided. The author also argues that the authorities must follow rules and regulations while performing their duties (Lockwood, 2010). Inclusiveness: Inclusiveness denotes that all the stakeholders are involved in the decision making processes. There are certain issues in the NRM which needs the opinions and suggestions of all those who are concerned. This ensures the active participation and consultation of the various stakeholders (Lockwood, 2010). Fairness: Fairness indicates that the opinions of the stakeholders are given their due respect. It also denotes that here should be consistency in the decision making process (Lockwood, 2010). Integration: Integration means the connection between the different tiers of the government so that there is no lack of co ordination between them with regards to the policies and programs formulated (Lockwood, 2010). Capability: Capability denotes that the incumbent authorities are capable of delivering their responsibilities (Lockwood, 2010). Adaptability: Adaptability means that new knowledge gathered in the process of data collection is incorporated in the decision making. The forthcoming risks need to be anticipated and associated with the programs to be devised (Lockwood, 2010). Article of Lockwood and Davidson: The article of Lockwood and Davidson directly deals with the conditions prevalent in Australian context. The prevalent scenario in Australia has seen decentralization of power where the government has delegated powers to communities and individuals. The government has introduced hybrid practices to address the environmental challenges. Structurally, the Australian government has three tiers among which the responsibility of formulation of NRM rests with the middle tier, that is, the state governments. The Central government has allocated funding to the state governments for the formulation of NRM policies (Lockwood Davidson, 2009). In case of Queensland, the state government has allotted about $80 million to the Regional Natural Resource Management Investment Program for the period 2013-2018 which also included funding for the preservation of the Great Barrier Reef. This funding is provided to the regional management bodies for the NRM project. These projects deal with the preservation and protection of natural resources like water ways and rangelands (Department of Natural Resources and Mines, 2016). Three basic components shape the Australian NRM governance- neoliberalism, ecocentrism and localism (Lockwood Davidson, 2009). Neoliberalism is essentially utilitarian in its outlook. According to this perspective, the natural resources need to be protected to ensure productivity of the natural resources. This neoliberalism exists side by side with ecocentrism. Ecocentrism underlines the intrinsic value of nature. Localism implies maintenance of the distinctive and unique local environment. According to Lockwood and Davidson, neoliberalism has lead to distancing of the government from the local governing bodies. As a matter of fact, these governing bodies are shown to be more concerned with their own interests rather than taking care of the biodiversity (Lockwood Davidson, 2009). In Queensland, there are about fourteen regional groups working under the state government ("Queensland Regional Natural Resource Management Investment Program - 2013 to 2018", 2016) (See Appendix I) The article also focuses on the deployment of modern technologies in the implementation of the policies and regulations. The neoliberal approach in Australia forced the local peasants to join the regional NRM bodies. However, if they do to want to participate, they would not be able to get hold of the funding provided by the government (Lockwood Davidson, 2009). Comparatively, ecocentrism gave moral persuasion to the individuals where they were independent agents playing their role responsibly in preserving the elements of nature. Localism, however, is more akin to neoliberalism in its approach. It is said that the local communities can take care of their environment in a better way than the government. Hence, the neoliberal policies along with localism may go a long way for the protection of the diverse biodiversity of Australia (Lockwood Davidson, 2009).. Achievements and areas of concern of NRM in Queensland: The Great Barrier Reef: Figure: 1 The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most delicate ecosystems in the world. The Australian Government has allocated $140 million dollar for the Reef Trust. $100 million dollar was additionally received from the Queensland Government ("What Australia is doing to manage the Great Barrier Reef | Department of the Environment and Energy", 2016). Natural Vegetation: Figure: 2 In case of Natural Vegetation of Australia, it has suffered greatly due to various factors. According to the Bushland Destruction report, about 278,000 hectares of natural vegetation has been cleared in the period 2013-14 ("Queenslands tree-clearing map of shame", 2016). The report also states that several endangered trees have been cut down in the absence of proper rules and regulations. The Department of Natural Resources and Mines said that there are about 64 cases where the reason behind the clearing of natural vegetation is unclear ("Queenslands tree-clearing map of shame", 2016). Its upto the Queensland Government to take care of the unique natural vegetation and take proper steps towards its conservation. Animal life: Figure: 3 Worldwide climatic change has adversely affected the wildlife of the rainforests of Queensland. Almost 60% of the rainforest species is said to be critically endangered due to global warming ("Wildlife of Australia's Cloud Forest", 2016). Its up to the various NRM groups to formulate legislations and policies to make sure that the unique animal species are not obliterated from the face off the earth. Conclusion: The Queensland Government is dedicated to the protection and conservation of the biodiversity that is unique to the country. Various principles are followed based on which the government formulates the rules and regulations. The government has faced a lot of challenges in this field. As a result, the regional bodies have seen both achievements as well as failures. Proper steps have been taken to prevent the degradation and misuse of the valuable natural resources of Queensland. Each natural resource has been given minute attention by forming various regional bodies. With the proper combination of neoliberalism, ecocentrism and localism, Australia can achieve a more sustainable future. References: Lockwood M., Davidson J., Curtis A., Stratford E. Griffith R. (2010) Governance Principles for Natural Resource Management, Society Natural Resources: An International Journal Retrieved 13 January 2014, from https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08941920802178214 Lockwood, M., Davidson, J. (2010). Environmental governance and the hybrid regime of Australian natural resource management.Geoforum,41(3), 388-398. Queensland Regional Natural Resource Management Investment Program - 2013 to 2018. (2016). Department of Natural Resources and Mines. Retrieved 26 August 2016, from https://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/land-and-property/natural-resource-management/nrm-investment-program Queensland Regional Natural Resource Management Investment Program - 2013 to 2018. (2016). Department of Natural Resources and Mines. Retrieved 26 August 2016, from https://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/land-and-property/natural-resource-management/nrm-investment-program Queenslands tree-clearing map of shame. (2016). Wwf.org.au. Retrieved 26 August 2016, from https://www.wwf.org.au/?14520/Queenslands-tree-clearing-map-of-shame Regional NRM organisations | National Landcare Programme. (2016). Nrm.gov.au. Retrieved 26 August 2016, from https://www.nrm.gov.au/regional/regional-nrm-organisations What Australia is doing to manage the Great Barrier Reef | Department of the Environment and Energy. (2016). Environment.gov.au. Retrieved 26 August 2016, from https://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/publications/what-australia-is-doing What we do. (2016). Department of Natural Resources and Mines. Retrieved 26 August 2016, from https://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/our-department/about-us/what-we-do Wildlife of Australia's Cloud Forest. (2016). Earthwatch.org. Retrieved 26 August 2016, from https://earthwatch.org/expeditions/wildlife-of-australias-rainforest www.rgc.org.au. (2016). www.rgc.org.au. Retrieved 26 August 2016, from https://www.rgc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/NRM-achievements-across-Queensland-2011.pdf