IUCN Botswana

This publication records the methods, lessons and experiences of organizations involved in CBNRM programmes in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, to enable organizations and communities to discover and learn from the implementation experiences of counterparts in neighbouring areas. The focus is on practical approaches, with a brief overview of the national CBNRM programmes and enabling legislation.

This report is on the first national conference on CBNRM that was a culmination of a series of three workshops on key topics in CBNRM, namely: community mobilization, enterprise development and natural resource monitoring and management. The objectives of the conference were to reflect on the progress made so far in implementing CBNRM activities, to consider the recommendations from the workshops and to deliberate the way forward.

This report is based on a 3-month project assessing business and environment in Botswana. The project concentrated on an assessment of the interests, needs, concerns and constraints of the business community in environmental and resouce management. Top managers and environmental officers in key production and service companies, government departments, NGOs and local authorities were approached for their opinions. A reference group was also established to provide guidance.

This workshop brought together representatives of all stakeholder groups from Namibia and Botswana to discuss key natural resource utilisation issues. IUCN sought to begin a crucial cross-border dialogue to address incompatible land and resource uses in the area. This is the first stage in addressing transboundary natural resource management in the area, and clearly focuses on both the ecosystem and the participation of all stakeholders.