Five Aspects of Upland Resource Environment

FIVE ASPECTS OF UPLAND RESOURCE ENVIRONMENT

by Antonio C. Antonio

February 28, 2015

It should be noted that in a SWOT analysis, there are two environments --- internal and external.  While the internal environment is composed of strengths and weaknesses, the external environment is composed of opportunities and threats.  In upland management, the external environment remains to be a more crucial concern since it represents problems that are less controllable.  The management of the uplands remains to be a tedious and often failure-prone without the proper assessment of the external environment… the capability of the land and the available resources.

There are five aspects to consider in upland resource environment, such as:

THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT is the aspect of the upland resource environment that involves people and communities in the proposed project site or area.  People or stakeholders could either be direct participants, beneficiaries or recipients of the effects and impact of the upland project.

THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT is the aspect of the upland resource environment that involves the behaviour and participation of public interest groups and/or political institutions in the proposed project area or site.  As sure as we live in a democratic country where the rule of law prevails, public policies in the uplands will play a pivotal role in upland management planning and implementation.

THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT is the aspect of the upland resource environment that is concerned with the prevailing financial and economic state of the area or project site.  The primary objective is to identify the marketable goods and services akin to the particular upland project that will be economically beneficial to all the stakeholders.

THE TECHNOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT is the aspect of the upland resource environment that involves the identification of the applicable technology that could best fit and compliment traditional beliefs and indigenous knowledge present in the area of the upland.  The sensitive issue of customs, beliefs and traditions of upland dwellers will have to be considered in introducing new technologies.

THE ECOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT is the aspect of the upland resource environment that should take precedence among all the other already named aspects.  We should consider that the upland is an ecosystem and any human intervention must not interfere with the biodiversity of the project area.

Although Mother Earth has provided natural resources for man’s survival, a perfect balance between preservation and utilization must be maintained for us to realize sustainable development.  In this regard, in the management of the uplands, a working knowledge becomes critical on the importance of the five aspects of upland resource environment.

Just my little thoughts…

(Please visit, like and share Pro EARTH Crusaders on Facebook or follow me at http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/)