ZQMS-ARC-REC-002

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PROGRAMME: GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES INTAKE:_4.1___

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a) Conservation vs. Preservation
Conservation and preservation are the two main tactics used in environmental management.
Although they both seek to safeguard natural resources, their strategies, degrees of human
involvement, and long-term goals are different.

1. Definition and Explanation

Preservation
In order to maintain the sustainability of natural resources, conservation refers to their
prudent use and management. In order to preserve ecological balance for future generations,
it permits human involvement with the environment (WWF, 2022). Instead of total
restriction, the emphasis is on sustainable utilisation.

Crucial Elements of Conservation:

-promotes prudent resource use to avoid depletion.

-supports the social and economic advantages of nature (such as forestry, farming, and
ecotourism).
-seeks to strike a balance between environmental health and human needs.
-governed by laws and guidelines (e.g., reforestation initiatives, restricted fisheries).

Preservation
Contrarily, preservation places a strong emphasis on preserving natural areas unaltered by
human activity. By prohibiting any kind of exploitation or alteration, it aims to preserve
ecosystems in their pristine state (Murombedzi, 2021).

Crucial Elements of Preservation:

-emphasises complete preservation of natural resources.

-minimises or forbids human intervention in ecosystems.
-frequently used for distinctive, threatened, or culturally important places.
-usually implemented by conservation policies and legislation (e.g., stringent national park
rules).

. Key Differences
Aspect Conservation Preservation
Definition Sustainable use and management of Complete protection of natural
natural resources to ensure long-term resources from human
availability. interference.
Objective To balance environmental protection To maintain ecosystems in their
with human needs. natural, untouched state.
Human Allows regulated activities (e.g., Minimizes or bans human
Interaction fishing, hunting, logging, and activities to prevent resource
tourism). depletion.
Examples Reforestation, wildlife conservation, Strict protection of national parks,
controlled tourism, and sustainable wildlife reserves, and marine
agriculture. ecosystems.
Regulation Managed through policies promoting Protected by strict laws that
responsible use. prohibit development.
Examples of Conservation in the Real Real-World
1.Examples of Conservation The CAMPFIRE Program (Zimbabwe)
-community-based conservation program that permits ecotourism and controlled hunting.-
-Local people benefit from the money generated by eco-friendly hunting and tourism
(Murombedzi, 2021).
2.Programs for Forestry and Reforestation
Following logging, the Gorongosa Reforestation Project encourages the planting of
trees.Logging is possible without causing long-term deforestation thanks to sustainable forest
management.
3.Mana Pools National Park
Visitors are welcome in the park, but they must abide by conservation regulations.
Tight hunting laws guarantee the stability of wildlife populations.

Examples of Preservation in the real world

1. Victoria Falls Rainforest (Zimbabwe)
The rainforest is off-limits to economic activities like construction and logging.
It is safeguarded by the government as a World Heritage Site.
2. Islands of the Galápagos Marine Reserves
To preserve marine life, fishing and commercial operations are prohibited.
To prevent harm to the ecosystem, tourism is limited to specific areas.
3. National Park in Chimanimani
Deforestation and mining are strictly forbidden. The preservation of vulnerable
ecosystems and endangered species is the main goal.

Conservation and Preservation Are Important

For biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and environmental protection, conservation and
preservation are both essential.

The Significance of Conservation

✔ Promotes sustainability by assisting in the preservation of resources for upcoming
generations.
✔ Promotes economic growth - The availability of resources is essential for forestry,
agriculture, and ecotourism.
Minimizes environmental deterioration by regulating habitat destruction, soil erosion, and
deforestation.

The Significance of Preservation

✔ Preserves biodiversity: By preserving natural ecosystems, species are kept from going
extinct.
✔ Preserves ecological equilibrium: It guarantees ecosystem stability free from human
intervention.
✔ Preserves historical and cultural sites: Certain ecosystems and landscapes are important for
science or culture.

b) Introduction
Rivers, forests, fisheries, and mineral deposits are examples of transboundary resources that
are shared by several nations and need to be managed cooperatively to avoid disputes.
However, political conflicts are frequently stoked by poor governance, unequal access,
environmental deterioration, and conflicting national interests. confrontations between
nations over marine borders, mineral exploitation, and water rights can cause diplomatic
strains, economic disruptions, and even violent confrontations (UNEP, 2022).

This essay critically analyses the ways in which inadequate transboundary resource
management fuels political conflict, emphasising the main causes, relevant case studies,
security implications, and potential remedies.
Recognising the Value of Transboundary Resources
Natural resources that transcend national boundaries and call for cooperative management are
known as transboundary resources. These resources are essential for:

Economic growth: For industrial and agricultural development, nations depend on common
rivers, forests, and minerals.

Environmental sustainability: Ecosystems are harmed by poor management, which causes

pollution, overfishing, and deforestation.

Food and water security: The sustainability of many countries depends on shared fisheries
and waterways.

Energy production: Resources for fossil fuels and hydropower frequently cross international
borders.

Transboundary resources include, for example: 🔹 Water bodies, such as the Nile River, Indus
River, and Lake Victoria; 🔹 Forests, such as the Amazon Rainforest and the Congo Basin; 🔹
Minerals, such as oil fields in the South China Sea and coltan in the Democratic Republic of
the Congo; and 🔹 Fisheries, such as Atlantic tuna stocks and fishing zones in West Africa.

How Improper Management Leads to Political Conflict

1. Hydro-Hegemony and Conflicting National Interests
Conflicts over resource distribution result from nations prioritizing their individual economic
and security requirements over the sustainability of the whole. This is best shown by the
struggle over the Nile River, where Egypt's long-standing water superiority is in jeopardy due
Zeitoun, 2010). Diplomatic tensions are rising as Ethiopia's unilateral dam construction is
seen as an existential danger by Egypt, which is largely dependent on the Nile for drinking
water and agriculture (Swain, 2011). According to Kibaroglu and Scheumann (2013),
regional instability has been exacerbated by Turkey's control over the Tigris and Euphrates
through its Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), which has decreased downstream flows to
Syria and Iraq.

2. Legal Frameworks That Are Weak or Non-Binding

Since many transboundary agreements have no enforcement mechanisms, nations can break
them without facing consequences. Despite its initial success, the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty
between India and Pakistan has been tainted by disagreements over water-sharing during
droughts (Briscoe & Qamar, 2009). Bilateral animosity has been heightened by India's
development of hydropower projects on western rivers that are designated for Pakistan,
which have been interpreted as treaty violations (Akhtar, 2019). Similarly, China can
construct upstream dams without consulting downstream countries due to the Mekong River
Commission's (MRC) lack of legally binding power (Grumbine et al., 2012).
3. Inequitable River Water Distribution
Upstream water diversions frequently harm downstream countries. Mass migration and
agricultural losses resulted from India's construction of the Farakka Barrage, which decreased
water flow to Bangladesh (Swain, 2004). These disagreements demonstrate how unilateral
water management strategies can cause regional ties to become unstable.
4. Inequitable River Water Distribution
Upstream water diversions frequently harm downstream countries. Mass migration and
agricultural losses resulted from India's construction of the Farakka Barrage, which decreased
water flow to Bangladesh (Swain, 2004). These disagreements demonstrate how unilateral
water management strategies can cause regional ties to become unstable.
5. Oil and Mineral Conflicts
As nations vie for resources like oil, gas, gold, and diamonds, mineral-rich regions frequently
turn into hotspots for resource-driven conflicts.

Case Study: South China Sea Dispute The South China Sea contains enormous oil and gas
deposits, and parts of it are claimed by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

Naval clashes and diplomatic difficulties have resulted from China's aggressive military
buildup and expansion (ASEAN, 2023).

Case Study: Mineral Conflict Between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC)
Despite the DRC's enormous riches of diamond, gold, and coltan, violence is fueled by illicit
mining and smuggling.

Rwanda has been charged of aiding rebel organizations in their attempt to seize these riches.

As a result, there is continuous military conflict, human displacement, and diplomatic failures
(UN Security Council, 2022).
Smuggling of resources, military actions, economic exploitation, and ineffective governance
are the main problems.

6. Conflicts between Forests and Biodiversity

Forests are essential for biodiversity and climate regulation, but deforestation for agriculture,
settlement, and lumber leads to conflict.

Case Study: Illegal logging and deforestation pose a threat to indigenous populations and
wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela).

Conflicts over resource exploitation and environmental regulations have resulted from the
Amazon Basin countries' poor regional cooperation (WWF, 2023).

Key issues include illicit cross-border logging, loss of indigenous land, and contradictory
conservation rules.
7. Degradation of the Environment and Limited Resources
Conflicts escalate when shared resources are over extracted and contaminated, causing
ecological collapse. Due to severe water shortages and salinization brought on by Soviet-era
cotton irrigation schemes, the Aral Sea disaster led to conflicts between Kazakhstan,
Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan over the remaining supplies (Micklin, 2016). Conflicts
between farmers and herders in Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon have also been made worse by
the depletion of Lake Chad brought on by climate change and usage (Okpara et al., 2015).
8. Nationalist politics and historical grievances
Current resource battles are shaped by historical injustices, and governments make use of
nationalist feelings. Water-sharing injustices from the colonial era are the root cause of the
Teesta River dispute between India and Bangladesh, and anti-Indian sentiment in Bangladesh
is fueled by India's unwillingness to ratify a just arrangement (Islam, 2016). In the same vein,
Ethiopia has stiffened its negotiating positions by portraying the GERD as a symbol of
national sovereignty in opposition to Egyptian "colonialism" (Tawfik, 2016).
9. Climate Change as a Factor Increasing Conflict
Tensions rise as water scarcity is made worse by an increase in droughts and unpredictable
rains. Decreased water supply has exacerbated Israel, Palestine, and Jordan's tensions over
the Jordan River Basin (Tal, 2011). Conflicts between farmers and pastoralists also arise in
the Niger River Basin as climate change alters traditional water access (Benjaminsen et al.,
2012).
10. Conflicts over Fisheries and Maritime Boundaries
Exclusive economic zones (EEZs) are a source of conflict due to overfishing and ambiguous
maritime borders.
Case Study: Maritime Conflict between Somalia and Kenya
A lucrative fishing area in the Indian Ocean is the subject of conflicting claims by Somalia
and Kenya.
A legal issue in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) resulted from the absence of distinct
maritime boundaries.

The conflict has exacerbated regional insecurity and strained diplomatic relations.

🔺 The main problems include contradictory EEZ claims, lax law enforcement, and illegal
fishing.
11. Resource Nationalism and Economic Dependency
Transboundary resource-dependent nations oppose fair sharing in order to safeguard their
financial interests. Energy revenues impede cooperative agreements in the Caspian Sea oil
and gas disputes between Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, and Kazakhstan (Kalyuzhnova &
Nygaard, 2018). Comparably, the Silala River issue between Bolivia and Chile revolves upon
water rights for mining, and both countries are unwilling to make concessions because of the
financial stakes (Bustos-Gallardo et al., 2021).
12. Inadequate Frameworks for International Governance
States can disregard verdicts because existing organizations, such as the UN Watercourses
Convention, lack enforcement authority. Institutional limits were evident in the disrespect for
the Permanent Court of Arbitration's 2016 decision against China's claims in the South China
Sea (Dupuy & Wouters, 2018). Similar to this, Egypt and Ethiopia have refused to accept
unbiased arbitration, which has prevented the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) from mediating
GERD conflicts (Wheeler et al., 2020).
13. Militarization of Conflicts Over Resources
Conflicts can sometimes turn into armed altercations. Land and water disputes contributed to
the 1969 "Soccer War" between El Salvador and Honduras (Durham, 1979). Similarly, the
1980–1988 war was influenced by the Shatt al-Arab waterway disputes between Iran and Iraq
(Kibaroglu, 2002).
Critical Analysis: Evaluating Conflict Resolution Mechanisms
1. Fortifying International Law Systems
Due to concerns about sovereignty, major players such as China and Turkey reject the UN
Watercourses Convention (1997), which offers principles for fair water use (McCaffrey,
2019). Binding arbitration can be beneficial, as demonstrated by the World Bank's mediation
in the Indus Waters Treaty, but it necessitates unbiased enforcement, which is difficult in
geopolitically sensitive conflicts.

2. Power Politics vs. Regional Cooperation

According to Suhardiman et al. (2015), the Mekong River Commission (MRC) promotes
communication but excludes China, which reduces its efficacy. On the other hand,
collaborative infrastructure projects enable the Senegal River Basin Organization (OMVS) to
effectively manage water resources (Youkhana & Laube, 2016). Nevertheless, these models
necessitate trust, which is lacking in hostile environments.

3.Water Division Benefit-Sharing

Zero-sum thinking can be lessened by concentrating on mutual benefits (such as energy
trade). Both South Africa (water supply) and Lesotho (hydropower earnings) gain from the
Lesotho Highlands Water Project (Turton, 2003). Asymmetric power dynamics, however,
have the potential to favour stronger nations.
4. Transparency of data and technological solutions
Disagreements can be decreased by remote sensing and real-time water monitoring (such as
NASA's satellite data sharing) (Biancamaria et al., 2011). But because they frequently lack
the technological capacity, emerging countries become dependent on wealthier powers.
5. Non-State Actors' Function
Governments can be pressured for sustainable policies by NGOs and local populations.
Despite state opposition, the Nile Basin Discourse network encourages grassroots
participation (Nicol & Cascão, 2011).

Obstacles to Long-Term Solutions

Collective Action vs. Sovereignty: States oppose ceding authority to international
organizations.

Climate Uncertainty: Adaptive measures might not keep pace with environmental shifts.

Geopolitical Rivalries: In larger wars, such as the Mekong rivalry between the United States
and China, resources are used as proxies.
Political conflict is largely caused by the mishandling of transboundary resources, which is
made worse by power disparities, poor governance, and climate change. Although
technology, regional collaboration, and legal frameworks provide answers, their effectiveness
hinges on resolving sovereignty issues and geopolitical rivalry. Conflicts over resources will
continue if systemic changes are not made, endangering international stability. In order to
reduce tensions, future initiatives must give equal benefit-sharing, legally binding
agreements, and inclusive governance top priority.

References
 ASEAN (2023). South China Sea Resource Disputes and Regional Security.
Singapore: ASEAN Institute.
 FAO (2022). Illegal Fishing in West Africa and its Economic Impacts. Rome: FAO.
 International Energy Agency (IEA) (2022). Russia-Ukraine Gas Disputes and
Energy Security in Europe. Paris: IEA.
 UN Environment Programme (UNEP) (2022). Transboundary Resources and
International Conflict: Policy Challenges. Nairobi: UNEP.
 UN Water (2021). The Nile River Dispute: Conflict and Cooperation Challenges.
New York: UN.
 UN Security Council (2022). Conflict Minerals in the DRC: Regional Impacts and
Policy Responses. New York: United Nations.
 World Wildlife Fund (WWF) (2023). Deforestation and International Disputes:
The Amazon Case Study. Geneva: WWF.
 Murombedzi, J. (2021). Community-Based Natural Resource Management in
Zimbabwe: Challenges and Opportunities. Harare: University of Zimbabwe Press.
 World Wildlife Fund (WWF) (2022). Conservation vs. Preservation: Understanding
the Difference. Geneva: WWF Publications.
 Environmental Management Agency (EMA) (2023). Sustainable Resource
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 Eyler, B. (2020). Last Days of the Mighty Mekong. Zed Books.
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 Selby, J. (2013). "Cooperation, domination, and colonialism: The Israeli-Palestinian
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