IUCN National Committee of The Netherlands

Little attention is given to the state of nature and natural resources in situations of armed conflict. Because of the human disaster involved, three is often a reluctance to focus on the environmental consequences. Nevertheless, there is no reason to assume that nothing can de done to conserve natural resources and biodiversity. Various stakeholders write about their experiences with nature conservation in regions in conflict and various international and Dutch organisations elaborate on their various roles in conflicts and their contribution to the conservation of nature.

The two neighbouring countries, Libera and Sierra Leone, are situated in the heart of the Upper Guinea forest region. This region is one of the earth's most biologically diverse and was originally covered by a continuous block of dense tropical rainforest, ranging from Guinea south through Sierra Leone, and Liberia to Ivory Coast and Ghana. Much of this forest cover has already been lost and what little remains is under serious threat from commercial activities, such as logging, mineral mining and the subsistence activities of an ever growing population.

A series of articles looks into the problems and controversies concerning tourism and nature. On the one hand tourism is dependent upon nature, on the other hand, however, it often destroys the natural and socio-cultural environment. In the first section representatives from relevant sectors involved with tourism and nature (tourists, environmentalists, governments and the tourism sector) express their views on the possibilities of sustainable tourism.

Legal research papers review a project for which a loan is being asked from the World Bank. With a view to potential environmental damage, the publication examines the deficiencies of the existing legal framework with regard to the (lack of) obligations, responsibility and liability of all parties involved, under national law as well as under international law. It sets out recommendations for improving the legal framework and strengthening the rule of law