The prime consideration of man as the most intelligent being on this planet is to utilize and conserve the existing natural resources for sustainable development. The process requires continued understanding by man of the biotic and the abiotic conditions and their interrelationships. There is no greater long-term need in Kenya today than the conservation and management of her vast arid and semi-arid lands ASALS., fauna and flora, the natural forests, water-catchment areas, wetlands, and the aquatic life. The pressure on natural resources for fuel and timber and on land in general, for crops and pasture, has led to forest recession, soil erosion, desertification and water-catchment degradation - all of which combine to impair the land and water resources.
Kenya being a small "niche" on the global environmental complex system needs to produce competent natural resource conservationists / managers who will make effort to facilitate utilization and conservation of her natural resources without upsetting the environmental equilibrium.
The approach to education and training must accordingly be re-oriented. The emphasis needs to shift from a narrow base to a broad base so as to effect integration. The main objective is to produce resource conservationists and managers who are multi-disciplinary in approach and can view the management of natural resources holistically.
The purpose of this BSc. Natural Resource Management degree programme at Egerton University is to offer educational opportunities to students who desire a broad knowledge in the management of renewable and non-renewable natural resources. Emphasis is placed on an ecological approach relative to the conservation and management of natural resources.
Increasing opportunities for employment of graduates with background in the management of Forestry and Watershed Resources, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Resources, Wildlife and Fisheries Resources and Non-Renewable Resources are available in public and private sections.
The BSc. Natural Resource Management graduates from Egerton University will be deployed in areas such as resources use planning, environmental monitoring and impact studies, natural resource development, conservation information and education, and regulatory activities.