The underlying drivers of sustainable management of natural resources: The case of marine protected areas (MPAs)

• Main Authors: Masud, Muhammad Mehedi, Othman, Azmah, Akhtar, Rulia, Rana, Md Sohel
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier 2021
• Subjects: HC Economic History and Conditions; SD Forestry
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/26745/

Economic, social and ecological development are seriously impeded by the deterioration of the environment - which creates detrimental effects on people's livelihoods as well as natural resources management. This study aims to explore the predominant factors affecting natural resources management within marine protected areas (MPAs) and the impact of said factors. The data was collected using a survey questionnaire through face to face interaction with respondents. The structural equation model (SEM) was employed to analyse the collected data. The study found that economic, social, cultural and ecological development factors have a significant influence on ``sustainable use of natural resources''. By contrast, political and technological development does not have any significant relationship with sustainable use of natural resources. This might be because MPAs are not politically and technologically developed yet according to community expectations. Therefore, this study will propose some directives for policymakers to accelerate economic, social, cultural and ecological development - as well as to increase sustainability awareness and form favourable environmental attitudes among marine park communities to promote natural resource management.