"There are a lot of assumptions why we are successful. It will be good to get validation from other countries to see if we have overlooked anything," said Patricia Skyer, co-ordinator of the Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO).

Garth Owen-Smith, co-director of Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC), felt there was still a lot to learn from other countries.

"We might not necessarily be the leader tomorrow".

He said there were specific practical ideas that could benefit the Namibian programme.

Greg Stuart-Hill, natural resource planner of the LIFE project of WWF, said it was very valuable to get the opinions of outsiders.

"We might be making mistakes we are not aware of".

He said the conference, which brought together representatives from about 11 countries, would also serve to boost morale in Namibia.

"What is happening here is very good, but we never sit back to reflect on it".

As for the future of the programme Owen-Smith, said he would like to see better management of natural resources in communal areas by the users.

"This would lead to improved livelihoods, which is really the goal of CBNRM".

According to Owen-Smith other areas such as fisheries, forest production and grazing could also benefit from CBNRM.

Skyer wants to see different Ministries talking to each other to avoid duplication and ensure support for programmes as new legislation is being developed on forests and water.

PROGRESSIVE

Stuart-Hill would like to see the programme continue to grow, which would increase the livelihoods of more communities, while biodiversity and conservation would also benefit from the spin-offs.

He said the conservancy programme and its structures could also be utilised for other development activities, such as HIV-AIDS awareness.

"This would make development so much more effective".

Namibia's progressive legislative framework for the establishment of CBNRM programmes has been widely praised as one of the most innovative people-orientated approaches to conservation.

It stands in sharp contrast to the highly regulated, park-based conservation system across much of Africa.

According to an overview of communal area conservancies in Namibia produced by NACSO, traditional conservation approaches have been premised largely on the ability of governments to enforce wildlife protection laws.

The country's CBNRM programme on the other hand generates its success from the high sense of ownership and stewardship responsibility that local communities have gained through conservation policies and legislation.

The programme is today supported by 11 NGOs, the University of Namibia, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and approximately 50 community-based organisations.

So far 15 rural communities have gained legal status as communal area conservancies incorporating more than 39 000 people in an area of 4 million hectares.

A further 35 communities are in the process of establishing conservancies, potentially including another 8 million hectares and 70 000 people.

According to the NACSO overview significant increases in wildlife have occurred through the conservancy movement.

The third annual game census of June last year on 5 million hectares of existing and emerging conservancies in the northwest of Namibia indicated massive increases for most wildlife populations.

Gemsbok and springbok numbers went up by 25 and 27 per cent respectively, kudu by 20 per cent, Hartmann's zebra by seven per cent and ostrich five per cent.

"The significance of the increase of game populations can be further emphasised by the increased monetary value for the conservancies".

The estimated value of the five species is more than N$21 million.

Another important development for CBNRM in conservancies include the translocation of game.

Last year 1 645 animals were moved into six communal and one commercial conservancy.

A further 19 emerging conservancies in the Kunene region have requested wildlife translocations to re-stock areas.

JOB CREATION

Four conservancies have so far reached financial independence where the revenues from different activities are enough to cover their operational costs.

Financial benefits of more than N$11 million were generated by community-based tourism enterprises and campsites (28 per cent), trophy hunting and meat (22 per cent), joint venture tourism (20 per cent), thatching grass sales (10 per cent), game donations (9 per cent), craft sales (5 per cent), own-use meat (4 per cent), interest earned (1 per cent) and live sale of game (1 per cent).

Tourism has further created 374 full-time jobs in tourism ventures, while more than 3 000 people hold part-time jobs.

Four conservancies have also begun to distribute cash benefits to their members.

Nyae Nyae conservancy has made two cash pay outs to members, while Salambala handed out hunting revenue to villages.

Torra paid a dividend to each member, as well as making donations to the local school and creche.

Marienfluss pays money annually to members from their campsite revenue.

Stuart-Hill said many people still perceived conservancies as parks.

"When they do that they misunderstand the system, and that might lead to conflict".

He said the idea was not to duplicate already existing parks, but to help parks and at the same time help people.

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