Community Based Natural Resources Management Approach

Community based natural resource management refers to the cooperative usage and management of natural resources in rural areas by a group of people with a self-defined and diverse identity, using facilities that are owned by the community (Fabricius, undated). It is a method of conservation and growth that identifies the rights of resident individuals to manage and profit from the running and usage of natural resources (Fernandez-Gimenez, 2008) (Kellert et al, 2010). It involves transferring back to the communities access and use rights of natural resources (Kellert et al, 2010). Thus authorizing them with legislation and decentralized management duties (Kellert et al, 2010). In this way, they build their capacity and make partnerships with

The benefits herein will be shared amongst the community equally. However, it is an ongoing debate that the community based resource management approach is responsible for substantial amounts of profits or whether it supplements to the already existing income that the community receives. USAID (2006) believes that this approach generates more income for rural communities. Perhaps, the USAID (2006) refers to non-financial benefits, which there is great deal of. They range from community empowerment, more secure livelihoods, and cultural benefits, improvements to the natural resource base and benefits to society as a whole (USAID, 2006) (Fabricius, undated). Fabricius (undated) on the other hand is adamant that it only supplements a portion to the community’s income. Whatever the case may be, it does not dispute that income is one of the benefits of community based resource

Numerous community based natural resource management projects are not familiar with markets and have no economic planning. This therefore results in false hopes (Fabricius, undated). In America and Asia, this approach is a corresponding activity that adds to the community’s incomes instead of being the pillar of their economy. In the case of communities in Latin America, Southern Africa and also Asia wildlife hunting is regarded a social activity rather than economic (Fabricius, undated). Fabricius (undated) continues to add another problem with the financial expectations of community based natural resource management. Communities with large populations sharing benefits often get returns that are too little. Although the size of the overall income may count to tens or even hundreds of thousands of U.S dollars (US$), the single or household profits are very small (Fabricius, undated). An example for this would be the widely praised CAMPFIRE (Communal Areas Management Program for Indigenous Resources) project in Zimbabwe, the annual benefit to individuals was approximately Z$250 (less than US$7) per year (Fabricius, undated). Fabricius (undated) does make a compelling argument. However, countries like Botswana and Namibia seem to be doing very well for themselves (NACSO, 2002) (van der Jagt, 2000). The idea of community