The Asian Development Bank(ADB)has said that poor management of natural resources and corruption have had a large destructive impact on the Asian region’s ecological systems.
The Bank said Asia holds 20 per cent of the world’s biodiversity, 14 per cent of the world’s tropical forests, and 34 per cent of global coral resources and the greatest number of fish and aquaculture in the world. However, poor management of natural resources and corruption have fallen negative impact on the region’s ecological systems.
”Southeast Asia has suffered the greatest losses in biodiversity over the last 50 years compared to any tropical region in the world, while the list of threatened bird and mammal species in South Asia has grown longer, “the ADB said, adding that environmental problems include deforestation and illegal logging; illegal wildlife trade; illegal fishing; pollution; and climate change.
It further said environmental courts and tribunals (ECTs) are seen as a way to concentrate expertise to ensure that judges deciding on environmental and natural resource cases fairly and transparently balance the conflicts between protecting the environment and promoting development; manage environmental and natural resource cases efficiently and effectively; and support more public information, participation, and access to justice and for achieving informed and equitable decisions. ECTs have been established in several countries in the region, including Bangladesh, the People’s Republic of China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand.
In 2010, in response to requests from several of its developing member countries, ADB approved a technical assistance grant to provide information on developments and good practices on environmental adjudication and governance in Asian and developed countries.
