The Realities of Community Based Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa

BACKGROUND:

Historically, Sub-Saharan Africa featured sophisticated pre-colonial management systems that harmonized human activities with ecological health, systems that were overlooked and undermined by European colonizers. The paper critically evaluates Community Based Natural Resource Management efforts, highlighting their shortcomings in benefiting primarily non-local entities like safari companies and governments at the expense of local communities. To rectify these issues, the authors propose a multiple-resource use model that ensures conservation efforts are equitable and truly sustainable, encouraging benefits that are more fairly distributed among those directly impacted by conservation policies.

GOALS AND METHODS:

The authors critically evaluate the historical and current conservation strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the effectiveness and shortcomings of Community Based Natural Resource Management. The paper delves into how colonial legacies have shaped conservation, often to the detriment of local communities, and analyzes the distribution of benefits from conservation-related activities like safari hunting. Ultimately, the paper proposes a shift towards a multiple-resource use model that aims to realign conservation efforts with the needs and rights of local populations, ensuring equitable distribution of resources and sustainable environmental management.

CONCLUSION AND TAKEAWAYS:

The paper concludes that current conservation models, mainly Community Based Natural Resource Management, often fail to deliver significant benefits to local communities, instead favoring governments and private companies. It underscores the need for a paradigm shift towards more inclusive and equitable conservation practices that empower local communities through full resource ownership and management devolution. The paper advocates for a multiple-resource use model that integrates socio-cultural values and economic benefits for local populations, ensuring that conservation efforts support both biodiversity and the well-being of indigenous communities.