Community-Based Development in Africa

This chapter discusses the economic potential of community-based wildlife management in Africa as the “new phase” of conservation-led development. The interest in community-based wildlife management and wildlands development in Sub-Saharan Africa must be viewed within the context of evolving approaches to natural resource preservation. The Communal Area Management Programme for Indigenous Resources is a fairly recent development in the evolution of wildlife management policy in Zimbabwe. The Nayaminyami District Council formed the Nyaminyami Wildlife Management Trust with the objective of administering and managing the wildlife resources of the area for the benefit of local inhabitants. The primary economic objective is to increase local inhabitants’ share of benefits from wildlife so that it is viewed as an economic asset. The ultimate aim of community based wildlife utilization is to improve the co-operation of local communities to participate in the conservation of wildlife resources.