02 Oct 2024

Natural resources have long sustained the rural communities residing in the wild-life resource areas for centuries even before adoption of the Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programme as an alternative strategy of natural resource management.

The programme focuses on providing incentives for communities to take responsibility for managing natural resources sustainably. It is aimed at ensuring the communities derive socio-economic benefits from the programme such as participation in decision-making, employment and income generation.

Expert literature indicates that the driving force behind the introduction of CBNRM was a result of factors such as threat of species extinction due to over utilisation of resources, especially wildlife through poaching and the inability of the state to protect its declining wildlife resources among others.

CBNRM promotes rural community development, community participation in tourism development and the sustainable use of natural resources. Some community based trusts have been exceptional in harnessing economic bene-fits from the implementation of the CBNRM.

Through the programme, some trusts leased their concessions to private operators and companies while some operated campsites in the prestigious Okavango Delta.Some forged partnerships to undertake photographic tourism in the areas while some operate the famous mokoro excursion. Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT) is one of the success stories of the programme.

The trust is made up of six settlements namely; Ditshiping, Boro, Daunara, Xuxao, Xaxaba and Xharaxao. All are within the vicinity of the wildlife management area known as NG32, a concession in which the trust has been operating since 1997.

The trust is meant to promote sustainable utilisation of natural resources through direct participation of communities in managing the environment, wildlife and plant species abundant in their vicinity.

It offers tourism products and services in a controlled hunting area situated right in the heart of the Okavango Delta, such as affordable trips to allow more people to enjoy the delta, and has created job opportunities in disadvantaged and economically impoverished rural areas.

OKMCT manager, Mr Seikaneng Moepedi told BOPA that CBNRM had indeed worked wonders for them.

He said that their purpose had been very clear from the beginning as they aimed to promote conservation and focus on rural development.

Mr Moepedi said the proceeds generated through the CBNRM projects had made an impact in every settlement affiliated to the trust to ensure social equity.

He appreciated that the programme had alleviated rural poverty and advanced con-servation by strengthening rural economies and empowering communities to man-age resources for long-term social, economic and ecological benefits.

He noted that the programme had enabled communities to generate income that is used for rural development.

He mentioned some of their achievements as drilling and equipping of boreholes in all settlements to provide potable water to the communities, building houses for the elderly, constructing playgrounds and offering sponsorship to some youths to pursue tertiary education, among others.

He disclosed that more than 100 young people had benefited from the sponsorship fund and were all absorbed in the camps working as guides, chefs, and housekeepers, among others.

The trust also provides social allowance for elderly people aged over 55 years.  

“This programme has contributed a lot to rural economic development as well as enhancing rural livelihoods and promoting sustainable natural resource use. The camps doing business in our concession have created employment opportunities for our members,” he added.

Mr Moepedi narrated that the trust had joint venture partnerships with various safari companies, which undertake photographic tourism in their concession, which is located to the south of Moremi Game Reserve and in return, the community trust benefited from rental income and employment opportunities.

Another activity is the famous mokoro excursion, which is run by the trust in which it receives revenue by charging tourists who enter the concession gate.

The community members also benefit financially because the tourists pay them directly for the guiding services.

OKMCT 2023 annual report indicates that the trust has two main sources of revenue being the rentals and gate fees. The report showed that for the financial year ending 31 December 2023, the trust accrued over P8 million in land rental and over P2 million in gate takings.

Mr Moepedi said they expected revenue to increase this year as they were anticipating an increase to over P9 million in land rental and over P3.3 million in gate fees. He reiterated that the trust has also embraced mind-set change, which served as a wake-up call for all to do things differently. The trust had taken a decision to diversify its revenue streams to maintain a more stable level of revenue over time and build resilience.

He said diversification of revenue streams was critical in today’s rapidly changing business landscape as it could provide a cushion during tough times.

OKMCT has now ventured into big and tangible projects in a bid to boost their financial muscle and improve the livelihoods of the communities.

The trust first started with the construction of its office in 2021 and soon, it would embark on a ground breaking ceremony of a double storey mini mall opposite their office, which would comprise of a shopping centre and a filling station space.

Mr Moepedi noted that plans were also underway to construct internet towers at Boro, Khiri Camp and Xaxaba settlement in the delta to ensure members of the community enjoy the use of technology in the comfort of their homes and businesses.

The trust, has partnered with Admira Solution to build the internet towers in order to provide internet connectivity to the villages and safari camps operating in the area for a fee.  ENDS