Question

Governments can grant private property rights over resources that were previously viewed as public, such as fish or elephants. why would governments want to do so?

Answer 1

I believe the answer is: To prevent overuse

If natural resources are given fully at the control of private sectors, they would most likely taken out most of it while ignoring the rate of replenishment of that resources so they could take maximum profit. Because of this, government need to intervene and regulate the process.