Voices of the Wilderness

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ance in nature conservation to many countries; other aid comes from international organizations under multilateral programmes, from other governments under bilateral arrangements and from private individuals. I must admit that in certain cases the aid has been misused or indeed wasted. It is therefore absolutely imperative that both donor and recipient should work out a well co-ordinated plan so that projects do not fail because of the departure of expatriate personnel or lack of funds in the national coffers. Above all, the plan must include training of local personnel at professional and technical levels, ensure that education on nature is not neglected in schools and that the populace is made aware of nature. The continued existence of parks, wilderness and other related areas, or the establishment of new ones, depends on the political will and national priorities set by governments . An immense amount of work is being done by the Southern African Regional Commission for Conservation and Utilisation of Soils, a body of scientists which with its various sub-committees makes recommendations to member governments on this very complex and sometimes thorny question of land-use of which wilderness is but a part. It would be a sad day for this sub-region if this body should die for lack of support from member governments for reasons unrelated to science. Only through such international bodies which are an example of technical co-operation can we hope to solve our dilemma. It must not be assumed that the inhabitants of this continent - especially those who are poor - do not appreciate the universal nature of the instinct to survive, the impelling pressures from our children for a higher standard of living than we their parents are enjoying, and above all improvement in the quality of life for the majority. International conferences normally produce a plethora of cliches: we hear of the rich and the poor nations; we hear of the underdeveloped - lately referred to as the developing - and we are now referred to as Third World countries (though no one has yet indicated what has happened to the "second world countries"). Where and when are classifications of nations going to end? We from the "least developed countries" , the L.D.C.'s, are concerned about whereabouts we will end on the "richer side of poverty or richness." The gap between the rich and the poor is widening. Nations are unable to make a choice between existence and survival. The outlook would be very bleak indeed if we did not continue to hold dialogue on the conservation of nature, of which we, homo sapiens, are part .

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