regimes and changes in resource consumption. The best management approach must surely be found in adjusting to recent patterns of resource use by addressing the underlying causes of current resource use and identifying ways in which resources can be more sustainably used, rather than prohibiting undesirable activities.
On the other hand the tourism industry, which almost doubled between 1991 and 1995, continues to develop within the park without adequate planning control. As the Pem�n have become more dependent on income generated from tourism, the problem of tourism management has increased, as have its environmental and cultural impacts. Two urgent priorities are to develop management guidelines for tourism in the national park, and to strengthen the capacity of the Pem�n to manage and take advantage of tourism in a way compatible with the conservation objectives of the area.
In addition to this is the latent threat of gold and diamond mining. Mining is one of the major activities in the lands adjacent to the park, and it is well known that the park itself has considerable mineral wealth. Although mining is currently prohibited, there have been sudden illegal 'booms' in, for example, the Kamarata Valley in 1994. The physical presence of mining operations on the park's borders provides a constant reminder to the park's inhabitants of what may be obtained from their lands in the short-term. With government policy now aimed at promoting mining throughout the region, the park will require increased vigilance to safeguard its natural resources over its 3 million hectare extent.
One particular project which is shortly to be realised is the construction of a high-tension power line through the national park in order to supply electricity to mining operations to the north and south of the park. Although the project is opposed by local inhabitants and considered unwise by conservation scientists, it seems likely to succeed due to the powerful lobby
