Resources such as water, land, forests, and minerals provide essential services for life, from food and clean water to energy and fresh air.
Natural Resource Management (NRM) is the process of managing the Earth's resources—such as land, water, forests, minerals, and biodiversity—in a sustainable way that balances human needs with environmental conservation. NRM aims to use natural resources efficiently while ensuring their availability for future generations, promoting economic growth, and supporting environmental health. The importance of NRM is rooted in the fact that natural resources are fundamental to life on Earth. They provide food, water, energy, materials, and ecosystem services, all of which are essential for human survival and development. However, over-exploitation, pollution, and climate change are putting significant pressure on these resources, leading to depletion, degradation, and loss of biodiversity.
Since its early years, CECAD has implemented several projects on natural resource management. From 2006 to 2008, CECAD carried out the project "Improving Livelihoods, Preserving Culture, and Protecting the Environment in Tử Nê Commune, Tân Lạc District, Hòa Bình Province” funded by the Alliance of Churches for Development Cooperation (ICCO), Netherlands. As part of the project, water user groups (CBOs) were established and subsequently maintained very effectively, with members strictly following regulations. The CBOs operated to ensure that waste was disposed of in designated areas and that natural forests were well-protected to maintain clean water sources. Through the project activities, the people of Tử Nê Commune gained better access to clean water. The water supply was sustained and protected through water collection and storage in the communes. CBO members became aware of the role of upstream forests in providing water and the importance of conservation work. After the project ended, the CBOs continued to protect the area to ensure a clean water source for the commune members.
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