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Principles of the Human Integrated Management Approach (HIMA): Towards Sustainable Development
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Abstract: The HIMA; as Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) System that promotes sustainable livelihood, resources conservation, and environmental protection, for the Human wellbeing is presented. The main feature of the new system is that it promotes sustainable development through set of governing principles. Hima\'s are traditionally ruled by the local communities through consensus and different groups held specific responsibilities such as collecting rainwater run-off and monitoring grazing. As the need for environmental protection represents a prime importance for the people whom depend on the natural resources for their survival, Hima is considered to be a relevant concept to contemporary natural resources dilemmas. One of the main features of the Hima system it achieves social justice; this is one of the main strengths "it provides an incentive for local communities to invest in the maintenance of their natural resources and to protect them from abuse". (Kilani, 1995). Modern day challenges have to be taken into consideration when setting up a Hima governance system such as growing population demands for more land for housing and to address the needs for small community farmers. These changes in society might lead to situation where grazing become uncontrolled and will lead to destruction to range land and eventually leads to desertification. These challenges were met by established environmental planning and management strategies which balanced the settlements\' growth and natural resources uses according to Islamic Environmental Laws and the community self-government. Hima governance framework has been derived based on cultural heritage, environmental ethics and human development model of the community which is predominantly Islamic. Des Jardins (2001) defines environmental ethics as "a systematic account of the moral relations between human beings and their natural world". The community ethics are comparable to the modern version as defined above. Humans are considered to be trustees with responsibility for the environmental protection, and yet they are accountable. The central issue is that the ecosystem should be in harmonious and equilibrium state with a respect to its biodiversity. There should be no harm to nature and no excessive use. Forests and the wild should be protected from deliberate misuses, fire, or damages. Water as the central element should be protected from pollution, overuses and misuse. Finally, respect the role of law that promote these principles.
Keywords: Natural Resources, Management, Sustainable Development, Environmental Protection, Environmental Law
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