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

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7.3.4
Clarify natural resource rights that may be delegated to communities,
including rights of management, use, access, and exclusion and the steps
required for communities to gain such rights;
Establish a regulatory structure that encourages investment in communities,
conserves natural resources and links conservation with rural development;
Initiate conservation strategies that are based on an ecosystem
perspective, and include natural resource monitoring and management
programmes to ensure species and ecosystem health;
Facilitate government financial and institutional support, including support
for conservation, business planning, marketing and extension services;
Provide opportunities for community participation and capacity building
regarding natural resource management; and
Respect the integrity, importance, and distinctions of cultural traditions by
allowing communities to identify and define their own development goals
and priorities (Republic of Botswana CBNRM Policy, 2000).
Community Perceptions Towards Community Based Natural Resource
Management
According to Mbaiwa (2002), the population of Ngamiland District generally regard
the implementation of the CBNRM programme, through the creation of community­
based tourism ventures, as a good idea. Community-based organisation members,
as well as households in the villages of Khwai, Seronga and Disthiping (see Figure
5.4 in chapter five), all of which have developed community-based tourism ventures,
generally regard community-based tourism as a positive development which should
be encouraged. According to Mbaiwa (2002), 76.9 percent of the population in
Khwai, Seronga and Disthiping believe that community-based tourism is a good idea
as it has resulted in the creation of employment opportunities and has generated
much revenue for the people in the district. The 23.1 percent of the villagers who do
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