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the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ...

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<strong>in</strong>habitants <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Okavango Delta region hold <strong>the</strong> view that as wildlife <strong>resource</strong>s and<br />

land belong to <strong>the</strong> central government, and not <strong>the</strong> local communities, <strong>the</strong>y are not<br />

able to see how <strong>the</strong> existence <strong>of</strong> wildlife <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Okavango Delta, or anywhere else <strong>in</strong><br />

Botswana, can be used to possibly benefit <strong>the</strong>m.<br />

A study was conducted <strong>in</strong> 1999 by Mbaiwa, on <strong>the</strong> prospects for susta<strong>in</strong>able wildlife<br />

<strong>resource</strong> utilisation and <strong>management</strong> <strong>in</strong> east Ngamiland District, focus<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>the</strong><br />

three villages <strong>of</strong> Khwai, Mababe and Sankuyo (see Figure 5.4 <strong>in</strong> chapter five),<br />

located on <strong>the</strong> eastern edge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Okavango Delta. All three <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se villages are<br />

<strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM)<br />

Programme. A total <strong>of</strong> 95 local <strong>in</strong>habitants (32 from Khwai, 31 from Mababe, and 32<br />

from Sankuyo) were <strong>in</strong>terviewed <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>se three villages by Mbaiwa, regard<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

attitudes and perceptions towards wildlife and its conservation <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Okavango<br />

Delta area. Accord<strong>in</strong>g to Mbaiwa (1999), 62.1 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 95 people <strong>in</strong>terviewed<br />

stated that <strong>the</strong>y derive no household benefits from ei<strong>the</strong>r wildlife <strong>resource</strong>s or<br />

<strong>tourism</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir area. Only 37.9 percent felt that wildlife benefits do accrue to<br />

households <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>se three villages (Table 7.2)<br />

Table 7.2: Household Benefits From Wildlife Resources <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Villages <strong>of</strong><br />

Khwai, Mababe and Sankuyo (1999)<br />

Village Benefits No Benefits Total<br />

Khwai 9 (28.1%) 23 (71.9%) 32 (100%)<br />

Mababe 6 (19.4%) 25 (80.0%) 31 (100%)<br />

Sankuyo 21 (65.6%) 11 (34.4%) 32 (100%)<br />

Total 36 (37.9%) 59 (62.1%) 95 (100%)<br />

Source: Adapted from Mbaiwa, 1999, p. 100.<br />

The figures <strong>in</strong> table 7.2 show that <strong>the</strong>re is a disparity <strong>in</strong> responses between <strong>the</strong> three<br />

villages <strong>of</strong> Khwai, Mababe and Sankuyo regard<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> wildlife benefits. This is due to<br />

<strong>the</strong> fact that, at <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mbaiwa (1999) study, limited wildlife benefits were<br />

start<strong>in</strong>g to accrue to <strong>in</strong>dividuals <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> villages <strong>of</strong> Sankuyo and Khwai, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> form <strong>of</strong><br />

employment. In Sankuyo, <strong>the</strong>re are 66 people employed <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> safari company,<br />

Crocodile Camp Safaris, which has leased <strong>the</strong> Sankuyo concession area for<br />

288

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