Community based natural resource management in Botswana.

Chitsove, Emma; Madebwe, Tinashe

Abstract

Since the mid-1980s, Botswana has relied on community-based natural resources management (CBNRM) to incentivise communities to consistently choose environmentally beneficial behaviour as a mechanism for advancing conservation efforts. There have been some successes registered using this approach. However, the turn to CBNRM has not been as successful as had been hoped. Despite this, it is well acknowledged that CBNRM can play an important role in advancing conservation efforts. For that reason, the state is working to revamp the CBNRM framework so that it consistently yields beneficial results for communities and for conservation efforts. Against this backdrop, this paper relies on regulatory theory and experience with CBNRM in Botswana thus far to identify what it would take to establish an effective CBNRM regulatory framework in the country. It establishes that Botswana's CBNRM framework has failed to consistently secure effective CBNRM due to lack of a dedicated CBNRM law and inadequately resourced institutions. It therefore recommends the promulgation of a CBNRM law which has a community-centred approach and/or a rights-based approach, and setting up an institution that is adequately resourced charged with regulating CBNRM in Botswana.

Citation

CHITSOVE, E. and MADEBWE, T. 2024. Community-based natural resource management in Botswana. Journal of African law [online], 68(1), pages 59-72. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021855323000293

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 17, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Nov 15, 2023
• Publication Date: Apr 19, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 17, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 17, 2023
• Journal: Journal of African law
• Print ISSN: 0021-8553
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-3731
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 68
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 59-72
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021855323000293
• Keywords: Environmental law; Community based natural resouces management; Sustainable development; Regulation; Botswana; Conservation; Enforcement
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2054319