CBNRM benefits as mitigation
Conservancies have provided the main platform for experiments in the prevention and mitigation of HWC. However in addition to this, economic analysis demonstrates that the benefits provided to communities by CBNRM generates more income through wildlife use and wildlife-based tourism than the losses communities suffer from HWC. As a result, CBNRM in itself is able to internalise and off-set HWC costs (Jones et al., 2006), and could be the most sustainable HWC mitigation strategy available (Distefano undated).
However these benefits are given to all members in the conservancy and do not differentiate between households that suffer more costs of living with wildlife than others. Neither do social projects specifically target people who suffer the most costs.
There are several solutions to this problem. In some instances conservancies have the potential to considerably increase their incomes and to make larger amounts available for direct household benefits. Currently one of the main constraints to fulfilling this potential is a lack of capacity to manage more business partnerships and enterprises.
There are also ways to specifically increase the income raised by problem causing species for communities. Stander (Pers. Comm.) suggests there is good potential in developing predator tracking safaris linked to tourism lodges in conservancies. Part of the income from these safaris could be put into a special conservancy fund that can be used to offset livestock losses. Furthermore, conservancies could, in their benefit distribution plans, specifically target households that suffer high HWC costs.
However these benefits are given to all members in the conservancy and do not differentiate between households that suffer more costs of living with wildlife than others. Neither do social projects specifically target people who suffer the most costs.
There are several solutions to this problem. In some instances conservancies have the potential to considerably increase their incomes and to make larger amounts available for direct household benefits. Currently one of the main constraints to fulfilling this potential is a lack of capacity to manage more business partnerships and enterprises.
There are also ways to specifically increase the income raised by problem causing species for communities. Stander (Pers. Comm.) suggests there is good potential in developing predator tracking safaris linked to tourism lodges in conservancies. Part of the income from these safaris could be put into a special conservancy fund that can be used to offset livestock losses. Furthermore, conservancies could, in their benefit distribution plans, specifically target households that suffer high HWC costs.
Mashi Crafts centre near Kongola, Mayuni Conservancy, East Caprivi, Namibia. The Mashi Craft centre is selling handicraft goods, which have been produced by local women of the Mayuni Conservancy. It is a valuable source of income for the villages of the conservancy.
