This report presents the key findings of the Namibian Wildlife Integration for Livelihood Diversification (WILD) Project, which ran from September 2000 until October 2003. More generally, it analyses the livelihood implications of Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programmes undertaken in Namibia over the last 10 years. It looks in detail at the communal area conservancies in Kunene and Caprivi Regions. As institutional structures, these conservancies also offer strong fora for development decision-making and action.
The CBNRM programme “promoted wildlife and tourism as land uses in communal areas and demonstrated the economic value of these resources to the national economy. The incomes generated through tourism (both consumptive and non-consumptive) for conservancies have been significant. In 2003, it was estimated that approximately N$14.5 million was generated by the conservancies. Approximately half of this income was earned by individual households in the form of wages from employment in the tourism sector. In a number of cases the collective revenues are being used for conservancy running costs and four conservancies Programme currently operating with little or no financial support from NACSO. In addition, six conservancies have formally distributed financial benefits to their members.
