Conservancies as a vehicle for achieving sustainable development : with reference to a case study in the Nyae-Nyae area of Eastern Otjozonjupa, Namibia

This dissertation is based on the theoretical assumption that in order for conservation to be achievable it must go hand in hand with development, without undermining development of the environment continuing to degrade. At Independence, Namibia inherited a number of environmental and developmental challenges from previous government systems, including slow and even economic growth, a predominantly rural population dependent on the primary production of natural resources for their survival, human-induced loss of rangelands and croplands and a historical alienation from natural resources of residents from communal lands. As a result, Namibia finds herself confronting a number of development imperatives including the need to address and minimise inherited socio-economic and environmental debts as well as ensure that people are able to meet their basic needs. A further key finding of the REIA was that design, planning and implementation of policies, programmes, plans and projects in Namibia should seek to protect and enhance this sensitive environment, and ill-advised development activities may cause or contribute to additional environmental degradation. Recognising this, and in keeping with international trends, the Namibian conservation authorities, following Independence from South Africa began developing a national community-based natural resource management programme (CBNRM) aimed at addressing some of the key constraints of past conservation approaches and promoting development and conservation. One of the principle means of linking CBNRM and development is through the vehicle of conservancies, a defined geographical area which has been established for the management, conservation and utilisation of its wildlife and other natural resources for the benefit of a specific community. Whilst the conservancy approach was originally designed for application on commercial farms, the intention of communal land conservancies is that a community, within a defined geographical area, jointly manage, conserve and utilise the wildlife and other natural resources within the defined area. In so doing, conservancies aim to help promote sustainable environmental management, rural development and improved income and livelihoods for rural families and communities. The conservancy approach therefore is intended to be simultaneously a vehicle for development and for conservation.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Environmental and Geographical Science

Year dc:date.issued

1997

Author dc:creator

• Raphaely, Talia

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Kilian, Darryll

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9553

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9553