The concept of Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) as
practised in Southern Africa is thoroughly grounded in the recognition of rights to
resources. CBNRM programmes have developed in a post-colonial context where
independent governments are implementing policies designed to address injustices
perpetrated by past colonial regimes. Granting user rights over plants and animals to
rural communities – thus repealing colonial laws that forbid people from using these
resources – lies at the heart of any CBNRM policy.
The communities engaged in CBNRM are not necessarily defined as “Indigenous” in
the sense of the term used by the UN, whilst others that would be considered
Indigenous are not recognised as such by their national governments. Since many
rural communities have lived on the land they now occupy for several generations and
have cultural practices associated with the land, their rights must also be considered.
The term “local communities” generally refers to such people groups, some of which
include different tribes living together as one self-defined community.
Advocacy for the recognition of IPLC rights can take place on national and global
platforms. At the national level, CBNRM programmes are stronger where more rights
and responsibilities are devolved to communities by national government. In
particular, the rights to benefit from high value photographic and hunting tourism
concessions should be similar to the rights to customary use of plants and other
resources (e.g. water). Another area that needs to be addressed to improve the
effectiveness of CBNRM is that of land rights, which would allow communities to
enforce their land use plans that separate wildlife areas from agricultural or settlement
areas.
Increasing awareness about community conservation efforts will attract investors and
partners that are looking for ways to contribute to global biodiversity targets within
the framework of rights-based conservation. Southern African communities can thus
broaden their horizons and pool of potential partners by linking with global
Indigenous rights movements and other communities involved in similar conservation
work worldwide.