Friday 30 January 2009

The Big 5 Animals In South Africa


The term ‘Big Five' originated among the hunters of a bygone era to describe not the largest of the animals that they hunted, but the most dangerous. These are lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros. Every one of these animals has a reputation for pursuing its attacker with intent to kill. Perhaps the most persistent is the buffalo, which will ceaselessly pursue his aggressor, making hunting a life-or-death experience for the hunted and the hunter! All of these mammals are to be found in South Africa, making this country one of the most popular locations for safari style holidays. Indeed, South Africa has embraced this rich wildlife heritage and welcomes visitors from all around the world who come to experience close encounters with the magnificent beasts. Many of our game lodges offer the most luxurious accommodation and facilities available for ‘bush' holidays in the world. The Sabi Sands Game Reserve in the Mpumalanga province, for example, is arguably the most exclusive game reserve in the country. With no fences existing between the Kruger Park and Sabi Sands, the wildlife roams free between the two reserves. Leopards are the main attraction here, and these awesome creatures are so accustomed to humans that you can even follow them while hunting, in an off-road vehicle. All of the Big Five can be viewed at Sabi Sands. Other well-known and excellent reserves around the country where one can view the Big Five in South Africa include the world-renowned Kruger Park in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, the Pilansberg Game Reserve in the North Western Province, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Northern Cape and the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Park in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Visitors who are confined to the Cape Town area are often under the impression that they will be unable to view the Big Five. However there is a reserve only 90 minutes from the centre of Cape Town, Aquila, where one can view four of the Big Five. Self-drive or guided drive tours are available from Cape Town - even one day tours are possible, although you may well wish to stay overnight in the appealing accommodation set in 4500 hectares of pristine Karoo landscape. The terrain is varied - from mountains and valleys to wetlands - ideal for game viewing be it in a 4×4 safari vehicle, on horseback or even by quad-bike. Aquila is home to four of the Big Five animals: lion, buffalo, rhino and the rare Mountain Leopard. You may also spot and giraffe and hippo, not to mention herds of wildebeest, zebra, springbok and other bucks, plus baboon, jackal and the bat-eared fox. What with the wetlands, you can expect a wealth of bird-life viewing to complete your safari experience - all so close to Cape Town! Those who can travel as far as the Eastern Cape - a pleasant day's drive along the beautiful Garden Route - can also view the Big Five and other species of game at the excellent Addo Elephant Park and Shamwari Game Reserve - both well-worth the visit for game lovers.
A safari holiday to South Africa is often considered incomplete without sightings of the Big Five. These days most people are content to take home photographs of the living animals rather than skins and hunting trophies. However there are legal hunting reserves for those who feel the need.The term ‘Big Five' originated among the hunters of a bygone era to describe not the largest of the animals that they hunted, but the most dangerous. These are lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros. Every one of these animals has a reputation for pursuing its attacker with intent to kill. Perhaps the most persistent is the buffalo, which will ceaselessly pursue his aggressor, making hunting a life-or-death experience for the hunted and the hunter! All of these mammals are to be found in South Africa, making this country one of the most popular locations for safari style holidays. Indeed, South Africa has embraced this rich wildlife heritage and welcomes visitors from all around the world who come to experience close encounters with the magnificent beasts. Many of our game lodges offer the most luxurious accommodation and facilities available for ‘bush' holidays in the world. The Sabi Sands Game Reserve in the Mpumalanga province, for example, is arguably the most exclusive game reserve in the country. With no fences existing between the Kruger Park and Sabi Sands, the wildlife roams free between the two reserves. Leopards are the main attraction here, and these awesome creatures are so accustomed to humans that you can even follow them while hunting, in an off-road vehicle. All of the Big Five can be viewed at Sabi Sands. Other well-known and excellent reserves around the country where one can view the Big Five in South Africa include the world-renowned Kruger Park in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, the Pilansberg Game Reserve in the North Western Province, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Northern Cape and the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Park in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Visitors who are confined to the Cape Town area are often under the impression that they will be unable to view the Big Five. However there is a reserve only 90 minutes from the centre of Cape Town, Aquila, where one can view four of the Big Five. Self-drive or guided drive tours are available from Cape Town - even one day tours are possible, although you may well wish to stay overnight in the appealing accommodation set in 4500 hectares of pristine Karoo landscape. The terrain is varied - from mountains and valleys to wetlands - ideal for game viewing be it in a 4×4 safari vehicle, on horseback or even by quad-bike. Aquila is home to four of the Big Five animals: lion, buffalo, rhino and the rare Mountain Leopard. You may also spot and giraffe and hippo, not to mention herds of wildebeest, zebra, springbok and other bucks, plus baboon, jackal and the bat-eared fox. What with the wetlands, you can expect a wealth of bird-life viewing to complete your safari experience - all so close to Cape Town! Those who can travel as far as the Eastern Cape - a pleasant day's drive along the beautiful Garden Route - can also view the Big Five and other species of game at the excellent Addo Elephant Park and Shamwari Game Reserve - both well-worth the visit for game lovers. A safari holiday to South Africa is often considered incomplete without sightings of the Big Five. These days most people are content to take home photographs of the living animals rather than skins and hunting trophies. However there are legal hunting reserves for those who feel the need.

Thursday 29 January 2009

south africa



Archaeological research has established that South Africa was populated as far back as 8000 years ago by hunter-gatherers, whose descendants were the Khoikhoi stock herders. The Khoikhoi, who later migrated to Namaqualand, gave the name San to these early hunter-gatherers. From the interaction between the Khoikhoi and the San (and to a lesser extent Bantu -speaking people) a heterogenic society developed along the Cape coast and in the interior of the country (see Bredenkamp, 1986).

The Dutch sent an expedition to the Cape in 1652, to establish a settlement and to cultivate vegetables and other commodities to supply ships en route to the east. These first colonists soon came into contact with the indigenous peoples of the country, which in many cases led to conflict about the use of land and natural resources. Accustomed to the European way of life, they tapped the natural resources more fully than the indigenous peoples: they hunted, fished, cultivated the land, felled trees and excavated rock for building. As time passed, individuals and family groups moved further inland and eastward, mainly for farming purposes, resulting in the establishment of small settlements and towns.

The interior of the country was already populated by black people trekking southwards. They hunted, kept livestock and cultivated the land on a scale only sufficient for their own domestic use.

Until the turn of the last century, an agrarian lifestyle provided the vast majority of the population with a home and sustenance. However, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Industrial Revolution and its aftermath led to major economic, political and social changes. By now the country was divided between British rule of the former colonies of the Cape and Natal, and the two Boer republics of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. After unification in 1910, South Africa became independent, although still a Commonwealth state.

When the National Party came into power in 1948 the policy of race segregation was introduced which alienated South Africa from the international community and the Republic of South Africa was established in 1961. Toward the middle of the 1980's and especially from the beginning of the 1990's, internal dissent, including pending economic collapse, combined with external pressure and forced change within the country. This resulted in the first democratic election in 1994. One of the cornerstones of the new political order is the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996).

Wednesday 28 January 2009

Stuff To Know

As you can see, cholera is a disease that spreads through South Africa by their water way. When they drink the water, they get the disease. So now you can see how the play pump helps solve cholera. Child play is now turning into a way to filter water and give South Africans clean, fresh, drinking, playing, and bathing water. The play pump is an excellent solution to help solve cholera.

Cholera Spreads Through South Africa


Five of South Africa's nine provinces have now reported cases of cholera.
The country's department of health announced on Friday that there have been 64 deaths and nearly 18,000 infections since the outbreak began last August.

Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang had already warned that cholera could spread as people travelled back home after spending their holidays in KwaZulu-Natal province. It was there where this latest outbreak began.

But in Mpumulanga province, only one of the 27 cholera cases could be traced to KwaZulu-Natal.

The rate of infection has increased dramatically with the onset of the rainy season.

Health education

Ministers from three separate government departments held talks with officials from the WHO at the beginning of January, in an attempt to find ways to contain the spread of the disease.

Following the meeting, the government said it would release extra funds to improve sanitation in the KwaZulu-Natal area and to pay for a wide-ranging public health campaign.

For its part, the WHO has promised to bring in experts to provide advice on how to prevent the spread of the disease.

The government has described cholera as a disease of poverty, and it is the poorest who are most at risk - particularly those who live in underdeveloped rural areas and rely on rivers and streams for their drinking water.

But critics have accused the government of exacerbating the problem by introducing charges for access to clean water - a move that has prompted some people to try to save money by getting their water from contaminated sources.

What Is Cholera

Cholera is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae, which affects the intestinal system of the body. An infected person experiences severe vomiting, explosive diarrhea and severe dehydration. Without immediate medical treatment, cholera may result in death within four to twelve hours after symptoms begin. Due to a large loss of body fluids, cholera is gruesome in the way that it leaves survivors in their physical appearance, as well as in the biological toll it takes on the body.

Cholera is very contagious. It is spread by the unintentional consumption of infected feces that contaminate food and water. It can also be spread through human to human contact. Some people have been infected with cholera by eating raw or undercooked shellfish.

Cholera is easily treated with fluids and antibiotics. When antibiotics are unavailable, which is commonly the case in areas that are plagued by cholera, a simple mixture of water and glucose for rehydration is life saving. Cholera usually resolves itself after a period of time; the danger is the severe dehydration that quickly causes death.

Similar to the bubonic plague which has showed its face time and again, cholera is a plague that is suspected to be an ancient disease. It has unquestionably reoccurred in seven pandemics since 1817, including in Europe and the United States. The most recent pandemic began in Asia in 1961 and continues to the present day in Africa.

In developing countries, cholera is prevalent in areas that do not enjoy sanitary living conditions because of poverty and a lack of resources. In pandemic regions, even sanitary conditions may not prevent further outbreak. Many people do not receive information on how the disease is spread, fear seeking medical help or simply do not have access to any kind of treatment.

Cholera is not common in developed countries due to the availability of medical treatment, regulated heath standards, clean water and effective sewage systems. Cases of cholera in developed countries are the result of raw shellfish or people who have contracted the illness while traveling. Those traveling to countries that have cholera epidemics should take careful precautions to prevent infection.

Precautions for travelers include boiling water before drinking or washing. Water can also be treated with chlorine or iodine. Frequent hand washing with clean water, especially after using the toilet, is imperative. Travelers are also advised to ensure their food is fully cooked and hot, peeling their own fruit and avoiding raw vegetables, including salads. Raw and undercooked shellfish should also be avoided.

Cholera is a disease that causes social stigmas and stereotypes in epidemic areas. Indigenous peoples who commonly fall victim to cholera fear the status of social outcast more than the disease itself. Throughout history, communities that have had outbreaks of cholera are marked as diseased and dirty even after they are no longer at risk for spreading the disease.

South Africa: The Play Pump

Here is a cool video link on the play pump in South Africa and how it helps solve cholera, and provide South Africans with fresh, clean, drinking water. When you click on the link, you will have to click watch video in the site. It's an orange button.

jhttp://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/rough/2005/10/south_africa_th.html

Tuesday 27 January 2009

Human/Environment Relationships Between Land





Few studies have assessed the relationships between land-cover change and socio-economic factors at a local level in the former bantustans of South Africa (also referred to as 'homelands'). These areas are home to approximately 2.4 million rural households (Statistics South Africa 1999), who still depend heavily on the land and its natural resources for their livelihoods (Statistics South Africa 1999; Shackleton and Shackleton 2004). The economic and social values of land-based strategies to rural livelihoods in South Africa, including natural resource harvesting, have not been fully appreciated by policymakers, especially with regard to direct provisioning and as part of the 'rural safety net' (Cousins 1999; Shackleton et al. 2001; Shackleton and Shackleton 2004).

The former bantustans have typically been characterized as severely degraded due to overgrazing and overharvesting of resources, often using commercial cattle ranches as benchmarks for comparison (De Wet 1987; Boonzaier et al. 1990). However, the notion of communal rangelands being irreparably damaged has been challenged by some authors (Shackleton 1993; Harrison and Shackleton 1999; Critchley and Netshikovhela 1998). Where high levels of environmental degradation have been demonstrated, these have been associated with a combination of particular biophysical factors (e.g. steep slopes and high mean annual temperatures) and socio-economic characteristics (e.g. high human densities and high reliance of the population on a few wage-earners) (Hoffman and Todd 2000). Moreover, the use of commercial farms as the reference point in assessing communal lands is contestable, as communal areas are multiple-use landscapes, shaped and transformed by a range of interacting environmental and human factors (Batterbury 2001; Twine 2005), where economic goals may be secondary in influencing resource management strategies such as animal husbandry (Everson and Hatch 1999; Dovie et al. 2006). They are, therefore, intrinsically different systems to single-use economic landscapes such as commercial farms.

As such, the bantustan landscapes exhibit features common to cultural landscapes. Farina (2000) defines cultural landscapes as 'geographic areas in which the relationships between human activities and the environment have created ecological, socio-economic and cultural patterns and feedback mechanisms'. Human disturbances are varied and occur simultaneously at different intensities and spatial and temporal scales, giving rise to a 'network of interactions between resources and users, shaping a diversified natural, cultural and economic mosaic' in a heterogeneous landscape (Farina 2000). In this context, we suggest that the former bantustans can be regarded as modern cultural landscapes.

Cultural landscapes are clearly an example of social-ecological systems, which are 'ecological system[s] intricately linked with and affected by one or more social systems' (Anderies et al. 2004). Social-ecological systems are complex adaptive systems characterized by cross-scale interactions and feedback loops between ecological and socio-economic components, often resulting in re-organization of these components and nonlinear trajectories of change (Berkes and Folke 1998; Folke 2006; Walker et al. 2006). Resilience is a key property of cultural landscapes and other social-ecological systems, and can be defined as the capacity of the system to withstand or recover from shocks through self-organization and adaptation (Berkes and Folke 1998; Farina 2000; Carpenter et al. 2001; Folke 2006; Smit and Wandel 2006; Walker et al. 2006).

If we assume that the former bantustans are cultural landscapes, we expect to find complex cross scale interactions and feedback loops between the rural communities and the surrounding communal lands, giving rise to heterogeneous landscape mosaics. We also expect to find examples of resilience and adaptation in the system. Importantly, these rural communities are undergoing rapid social, political, economic and cultural transitions, which directly and indirectly influence the way society interacts with the environment, which in turn can cause rapid environmental change (Twine 2005). This has potentially important implications for resilience and sustainability of the former bantustans as social-ecological systems.

This paper focuses on some of the links between environmental change and socio-economic factors in a former bantustan region of South Africa, using cultural landscapes and social-ecological systems as the theoretical framework. We undertook an historical analysis of associations between village-level socio-economic factors, household livelihood strategies, and land-cover change in a former bantustan region over a period of 23 years, from 1974 to 1997. The study addressed three research questions: What are the patterns of land-cover change in a former bantustan region of South Africa? What are the associations between land-cover change and local socio-economic factors at different scales in a former bantustan cultural landscape? Do trends in land-cover change and socio-economic factors promote resilience in these social-ecological systems?

Monday 26 January 2009

Human Interaction In South Africa


Few studies have assessed the relationships between land-cover change and socio-economic factors at a local level in the former bantustans of South Africa (also referred to as 'homelands'). These areas are home to approximately 2.4 million rural households (Statistics South Africa 1999), who still depend heavily on the land and its natural resources for their livelihoods (Statistics South Africa 1999; Shackleton and Shackleton 2004). The economic and social values of land-based strategies to rural livelihoods in South Africa, including natural resource harvesting, have not been fully appreciated by policymakers, especially with regard to direct provisioning and as part of the 'rural safety net' (Cousins 1999; Shackleton et al. 2001; Shackleton and Shackleton 2004).

The former bantustans have typically been characterized as severely degraded due to overgrazing and overharvesting of resources, often using commercial cattle ranches as benchmarks for comparison (De Wet 1987; Boonzaier et al. 1990). However, the notion of communal rangelands being irreparably damaged has been challenged by some authors (Shackleton 1993; Harrison and Shackleton 1999; Critchley and Netshikovhela 1998). Where high levels of environmental degradation have been demonstrated, these have been associated with a combination of particular biophysical factors (e.g. steep slopes and high mean annual temperatures) and socio-economic characteristics (e.g. high human densities and high reliance of the population on a few wage-earners) (Hoffman and Todd 2000). Moreover, the use of commercial farms as the reference point in assessing communal lands is contestable, as communal areas are multiple-use landscapes, shaped and transformed by a range of interacting environmental and human factors (Batterbury 2001; Twine 2005), where economic goals may be secondary in influencing resource management strategies such as animal husbandry (Everson and Hatch 1999; Dovie et al. 2006). They are, therefore, intrinsically different systems to single-use economic landscapes such as commercial farms.


As such, the bantustan landscapes exhibit features common to cultural landscapes. Farina (2000) defines cultural landscapes as 'geographic areas in which the relationships between human activities and the environment have created ecological, socio-economic and cultural patterns and feedback mechanisms'. Human disturbances are varied and occur simultaneously at different intensities and spatial and temporal scales, giving rise to a 'network of interactions between resources and users, shaping a diversified natural, cultural and economic mosaic' in a heterogeneous landscape (Farina 2000). In this context, we suggest that the former bantustans can be regarded as modern cultural landscapes.

Cultural landscapes are clearly an example of social-ecological systems, which are 'ecological system[s] intricately linked with and affected by one or more social systems' (Anderies et al. 2004). Social-ecological systems are complex adaptive systems characterized by cross-scale interactions and feedback loops between ecological and socio-economic components, often resulting in re-organization of these components and nonlinear trajectories of change (Berkes and Folke 1998; Folke 2006; Walker et al. 2006). Resilience is a key property of cultural landscapes and other social-ecological systems, and can be defined as the capacity of the system to withstand or recover from shocks through self-organization and adaptation (Berkes and Folke 1998; Farina 2000; Carpenter et al. 2001; Folke 2006; Smit and Wandel 2006; Walker et al. 2006).



If we assume that the former bantustans are cultural landscapes, we expect to find complex cross scale interactions and feedback loops between the rural communities and the surrounding communal lands, giving rise to heterogeneous landscape mosaics. We also expect to find examples of resilience and adaptation in the system. Importantly, these rural communities are undergoing rapid social, political, economic and cultural transitions, which directly and indirectly influence the way society interacts with the environment, which in turn can cause rapid environmental change (Twine 2005). This has potentially important implications for resilience and sustainability of the former bantustans as social-ecological systems.

This paper focuses on some of the links between environmental change and socio-economic factors in a former bantustan region of South Africa, using cultural landscapes and social-ecological systems as the theoretical framework. We undertook an historical analysis of associations between village-level socio-economic factors, household livelihood strategies, and land-cover change in a former bantustan region over a period of 23 years, from 1974 to 1997. The study addressed three research questions: What are the patterns of land-cover change in a former bantustan region of South Africa? What are the associations between land-cover change and local socio-economic factors at different scales in a former bantustan cultural landscape? Do trends in land-cover change and socio-economic factors promote resilience in these social-ecological systems?

Friday 23 January 2009

Humans and Animal Interaction In South Africa


Background of African Animals

Africa has a huge diversity of wildlife and ecosystems but much of this has been destroyed by human encroachment.

Hunting and poaching have also played a big role in the diminishing numbers of animals, and added to this is the continual killing for traditional medicines.

Basically the only reason why some animals are alive today is because they are protected in private and national game reserves.

Wildlife in the rural and agricultural areas has been eliminated for many years, and very few have survived or adapted to the cities and farms.

Every species has a role to play in the world’s eco-system. Removal of any species threatens the survival of others that depend upon it. Eventual destruction of the animals and habit could result in the destruction of humans themselves.


Orphaned Animals

Most animals are shy and have associated humans with destruction. As a result many animals, although they exist, are rarely seen. Orphaned wild animals have been habituated to humans, and although cannot be released, can be seen and experienced by the children

Whilst humans care for humans who are maimed or injured, very few care for animals in the same condition. At the orphanage, animals can at least have a life, and at the same time play a role in education.

Orphaned animals also play a role in providing necessary research which will enable us to understand their needs for survival in the wild. This information is freely available to assist those who have wildlife sanctuaries.

Orphaned animal instil compassion in people who interact with them. Only by caring will people understand them and look after them.


Help the animals by educating people

If people are educated, they will understand the spiritual and vital importance of our environment.

If we can supply education to children, the animals will benefit in the future.

Thursday 22 January 2009

South African Township Video Link:

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=6695323553290439135&ei=IMd4SYqQHp-2-wG4pPS3BQ&q=+south+africa&hl=en

The Play Pump







In rural villages across South Africa, some 5 million people don't have access to clean drinking water. To get a sense of the severity of the water scarcity there, you have to go back to the early 1800s when Europeans and others started colonizing the country.

When these settlers arrived, they brought with them nonnative seeds and plants with the idea that they would be able to re-create the thick forests and vegetation of their homeland.

Two hundred years on, the pines and eucalyptus trees, along with 161 other invasive plants introduced to the country, are soaking up billions of gallons of water that used to flow into mountain streams and support wetlands and other precious arteries in this largely arid country. Add to that the needs of South Africa's growing population and you have a situation in which the competition for water has become fierce.

Which brings us in a roundabout way (no pun intended) to this week's Rough Cut -- reporter Amy Costello's surprisingly upbeat tale about a canny entrepreneur who decided to tackle South Africa's water woes in his own novel and enterprising way.

Trevor Field, a retired advertising executive, had done well in life and wanted to give back to his community. He noticed that in many rural villages around the eastern Cape, the burden of collecting water fell mainly to the women and girls of the household. Each morning, he'd see them set off to the nearest borehole to collect water. They used leaky and often contaminated hand-pumps to collect the water, then they carried it back through the bush in buckets weighing 40 pounds. It was exhausting and time-consuming work.

"The amount of time these women are burning up collecting water, they could be at home looking after their kids, teaching their kids, being loving mothers," Field tells Costello. He knew there had to be a better solution.

Field then teamed up with an inventor and came up with the "play pump" -- a children's merry-go-round that pumps clean, safe drinking water from a deep borehole every time the children start to spin. Soup to nuts, the whole operation takes a few hours to install and costs around $7,000. Field's idea proved so inventive, so cost-efficient and so much fun for the kids that World Bank recognized it as one of the best new grassroots ideas.

In true ad-man style, Field's next idea was to use the play pump's water towers as makeshift billboards, selling ad space to help pay for the upkeep. He reserves a spot for the national loveLife campaign, which helps educate children about HIV and AIDS. "We've got to get the message through to them before they become sexually active," he says. "It seems to be working."

In the film, Costello and producer/photographer Cassandra Herrman drive out to a small village where the taps have been dry for a week. There, a crew sets to work installing a play pump near a children's play area, boring 40 meters down until they hit the fresh water table below. As soon as the last colorful piece of the puzzle is in place, dozens of children show up to play -- much to Field's delight -- pumping cool, clean water to the surface as they spin.

The indefatigable entrepreneur wants to build thousands of these pumps to help water-stressed communities across South Africa, then expand to other African countries. He says, "It would make a major difference to the children, and that's where our passion lies."

Jackie Bennion
Senior Interactive Producer

What Is Human/Environment Interaction

One of the central tenants of geography is the active, historically contingent interaction between the natural environment (topography, climate, vegetation, natural resources) and human society

Topography, climate, vegetation, and natural resources are basic tools necessary for human society. These factors, individually or collectively, impact the formation and articulation of modes of economic production, distribution, and consumption, modes of social and political organization, and in certain conditions, cultural beliefs and expressions. Examples of environmental impact on societal structure are legion in Africa. Most early civilizations in Africa (for example, Egypt), developed along major rivers (as is the case in other regions of the world). The great West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai became powerful because of their control over the trans-Saharan salt and gold trade. Colonial cities were spatially located to facilitate the exploitation of natural resources (for example, "copperbelt" cities of the Congo and Zambia). The "favorable" climate and resources of Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa made them attractive targets for European settler populations, who created a peculiar and particularly offensive type of colonialism.

However, it is also most important that the students understand that the human-environmental interaction is not a one-way affair. Human history is the story of human use and exploitation of natural resources, such as land, water, mineral, flora, fauna. In Africa, as elsewhere in the world, individuals and societies have used the environment in ways that have changed the face of the natural environment through cultivation, grazing, erosion, mining, the construction of building, villages, cities, and roads, and countless forms of pollution. In the country case studies, we will revisit this dynamic by investigating both sustainable and environmentally harmful practices.