ABSTRACT
The main purpose of protected areas is to conserve biological and geological diversity and cultural heritage. This is achieved by permanent conservation reservation and by active and effective management. However, protected areas are assailed by a multitude of threats and their values can easily be lost. The creation of protected areas without accompanying management is not an option if we are to conserve the values for which they have been reserved. This chapter describes the nature and characteristics of threats to protected areas and provides responses to how such threats may be managed.
