Case study of the CBNRM programme in Botswana

What could be the reasons for this rapid growth and what could be Botswana’s comparative advantages over other southern African countries1? The main reasons for the popularity of CBNRM lie in the lack of rural productive income and employment generating opportunities outside the agricultural sector and formal employment and the fact the limited opportunities often exceed the means of the majority. [...] Communities then need to discuss and agree upon the procedures, roles and responsibilities of communities and management groups, which are incorporated into the Constitution which specifies the role and responsibilities of the community organisation, membership, conservation and development objectives, activities to be carried out by the CBO, report-back and election of office bearers, etc. [...] The environmental objectives include: protection and conservation of natural resources; community education on the importance of and wise management of natural resources; safeguarding the cultural heritage of the people associated with the area; and conservation and sustainable use of areas of historical, archaeological and biological importance for the benefit of communities. [...] The perception of benefits is high at STMT and CTT because of the direct benefits to households (in the case of CTT despite low revenues); this also benefits the perception of CBNRM projects and participation rates. [...] She considers the direct involvement of the polers in the running of the tourism operation and their local skills and knowledge as the Trust’s main strength (most Trusts sub-lease the tourism activities).