Community-based natural resource management Protecting Resources & Promoting Growth

Transcription

1 Community-based natural resource management Protecting Resources & Promoting Growth Karol Boudreaux Affiliated Senior Research Fellow Mercatus Center at GMU

2 What is CBNRM? Resource management often of commons By local groups with local knowledge Who overcome a collective action problem It tends to work well with: When boundaries & rights can be defined When groups are relatively small & so can participate effectively in rule making & oversight Monitors & sanctions & relative freedom

3 CBNRM is everywhere Basic idea: more sustainable use comes when people affected are involved in decision making align incentives Managed pasture lands in Switzerland Irrigation systems in Nepal Wildlife resources in southern Africa Forests in Tanzania Has benefits/has costs

4 Namibia: Southwestern Africa Large/dry/droughtprone Lightly populated Formerly governed by RSA High levels of rural poverty Institutional concern: Who should control valuable resources?

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6 Background to CBNRM in Namibia White farmers gains rights to manage wildlife in 1970s Declining wildlife #s on public lands Community game guards in 1980s Build support among traditional authorities Independence 1990 Legislative amendment in 1996 Rights to manage & benefit from wildlife devolved to local communities Under particular conditions

7 Property rights to resources Before, wildlife was government-owned, essentially open-access resource Bundles of property rights Devolving takes several government stick and gives it to locals Thickens bundle held by locals Thicker bundles allow for expanded trade & more entrepreneurial opportunities

8 Goals for CBNRM: 1. Conserve natural resources/wildlife 2. Promote economic development 3. Build local governance institutions 4. Empower via ownership & knowledge Cornelia is assistant manager at Damaraland Camp, Bersig

9 Institutional changes: Shift away from poaching in 1980s NGO provides incentives to shift Traditional authorities support change Independence in 1990 Ministerial support Draft of conservancy policy in 1992 Wildlife management and tourism policies in 1995 Legislative amendment of 1975 Nature Conservation Ordinance enacted in 1976

10 Nature Conservation Amendment Act of 1996 Specifies conditions for conservancy formation and creates new rights Defined border; defined membership; management committee; constitution; provisions for equitable distribution of benefits Own-use rights, capture & sell, cull, manage, trophy hunting and non-consumptive use rights (tourism)

11 Management Committees: local definition/local control Create & maintain membership lists Create game management plans Create dispute resolution strategies/mechanisms Hold annual meetings and Report to members

12 Drivers of institutional change: Multiple actors in favor of reform: Policy entrepreneurs: within Ministry of Environment &Tourism Social entrepreneurs/ngos Supported by foreign donors such as WWF/USAID s LIFE project Push change that shifts incentives towards conservation and traditional entrepreneurship

13 Conservancies in Namibia Source: NACSO, State of the Conservancies, 2007, /index.php

14 Growth of conservancies Source: NACSO, State of the Conservancies, 2007,

15 Economic Benefits: Source: NACSO, State of the Conservancies, 2007,

16 Conservancy Activities and Income Source: NACSO, State of the Conservancies, 2007,

17 Lodges create local partnerships

18 How is the income spent? Source: NACSO, State of the Conservancies, 2007,

19 Jobs created through CBNRM activities In 2006 : 742 full-time jobs 5153 part-time jobs Source: IRDNC Asst. Director John Kasaona

20 Women Women make up make 37% up of conservancy 37% of conservancy committees (30% in 2003) committees (up from 30% in 2003) Source: IRDNC Asst. Director John Kasaona

21 Human/social capital improving Learning/skills Job training (service) Training in wildlife mgmt (event books) Business management Leadership skills Local governance Households stay together Communities seem stronger Crosley started as a waiter, became a guide and is training to be a manager at Grootberg Lodge

22 Environmental benefits Kunene Source: NACSO, State of the Conservancies, 2007,

23 Environmental benefits Nyae Nyae Source: NACSO, State of the Conservancies, 2007,

24 Needed changes? Dealing with Human/wildlife conflict Legal uncertainty over land/communal Land Reform Act ambiguous Incomplete devolution of rights Conservancy titles? No rights to exclude/constitutional problem Incomplete rights over problem/threatened animals

25 Additional problems: Primarily capacity problems: Management skills need to be bolstered Financial skills need to be improved Marketing skills needed Communication strategies needed

26 Is this model replicable? Lots of interest Devolution to communities a key part of the success Highlights need for coalition building External (NGO/donor) support essential in this case for capacity building Long-term commitment issue

27 Conclusion: Long-term (20+ year) view essential Good results likely depend upon broader institutional environment Consider devolution to lowest level Control over resources should be as complete as possible Building skills requires some support

28 Thank you