Sustainable development and conservation of natural resources in Sarawak with illustration from the forestry sector

Abstract

Natural resources may be defined as that part of biophysical environment which has a present or potential use for man's survival and well-being (Ooi, 1983; Sauer, 1969). Economically, natural resources or their products can act as means of accumulation and economic growth. Although natural resources within territorial boundaries are not necessarily crucial to or a pre-requisite to economic development in a such resources can have a favourable country, possession of influence on the level of income and its growth especially for a developing state such as Sarawak.