Abstract:

To sustain human survival, the relationship between humans and nature has to be a balanced one. Unfortunately, however, human being have placed itself in a precariously unbalancd position in relation to the finite capacity of nature. Many natural resources have been depleted to the point of extinction. In addition, nature's waste assimilative capacity has been grossly abused, causing environmental problems of an alarming proportion. Human being has, in fact, created a threat to its own survival.Therefore, nature and natural resources conservation have been become the most important problem confronting the human being in the world today. WWF sees the promotion and practice of sustainable use of natural resources as an essential mean to conserve nature in today's world. Existing and traditianal approaches to conservation such as the extablishment of protected areas will not succeed by themselves in achieving conservation. In an integrated approach, however, which links ecological sustainability with human needs, the establishment of protected areas and the sustainable use of natural resources can be mutually complementary. Such an integrated approach will serve to bring human-as economic actors, social beings, and dependents of nature-into a harmonious, matually supportive, and matually beneficial relationship with their environment.

Key words: The relationship between humans and nature, Sustainability, Sustainable development, sustainable resource use