Protection of biodiversity is necessary for both ethical and practical reasons with a long tradition in Islam. Humans are delegated as khalifa, or trustees of God, charged with
looking after the Earth and all of its elements. The Holy Qu’ran states: "There is not an animal (that lives) on earth or a being that flies on its wings but (forms part of) communities like you." Protected areas are the foundation of national and international conservation strategies, which provide shelter for biological species and natural ecological processes, and enhance ecological restoration of damaged ecosystems. Protected area management is therefore needed to ensure common welfare and ecosystem sustainability, which can be introduced through several approaches such as the Human Integrated Management Approach (HIMA).
The HIMA is a community-based natural resources
management and conservation system, which includes many sacred natural sites and seeks to protect areas of land by encouraging local participation that integrates social and environmental priorities.
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