The term "conservation" is generally assumed to imply the wise and sustained use of resources, such as surface water resources, biological resources (including soil resources) and scenic resources.

Surface water resources are essential for the survival of all life forms, as well as for the survival and growth of economic activities ranging from agriculture to industry. Biological resources indicate the ability of the land to generate biomass to sustain life both in the natural and agricultural environment. Scenic resources are those that appeal to the aesthetic appreciation of the landscape by humans and constitute a very important aspect of the tourism industry.

Environmental resource management requirements:

The areas of high environmental management requirements are areas with high levels of environmental resources where population densities have begun to reach proportions where the environment is being negatively affected by human activity. The areas with the highest management requirements are those where the impact of population numbers is becoming critical, but where the environment has not yet been permanently damaged.

Environmental resources reconstruction requirements:

The areas of highest environmental reconstruction requirements are areas with high levels of environmental resources where population densities are such that permanent environmental damage has already occurred. Permanent damage to the environment implies that the environment will not be able to repair itself unless substantial repair or reconstruction measures are introduced.

Areas in this category include the larger proportions of all the former homelands created under the previous political dispensation, as well as the areas in and around the greater metropolitan regions of South Africa.

It is evident that, if environmentally sustainable success is to be achieved, the former homelands are in need of an environmental reconstruction programme integrated into the economic reconstruction and development programme. In the case of the metropolitan areas, the impact of urbanisation on the environment is such that it can be considered irreversible. It is significant, however, that even in these areas the application of scientifically based environment management can convert man-made environments into areas attractive for urban wildlife. Studies and empirical evidence have shown that if habitats suitable for urban wildlife are created and maintained in urban areas, repopulating of these areas with a variety of wildlife will occur spontaneously. Not only is the presence of this diversity an indication of the health of the environment, it also increases property value and social responsibility. A healthy environment will contribute to the development of a healthy community and address the various social inadequacies, which are so prominent in our urban areas.