Volume 5, Number 3

Community Based Natural Resource Management: Exploring The Benefits and Challenges

  Authors

Munalula Melinda , Brivery Siamabele, Valentine Kalonje and Matildah Kaliba, University of Zambia, Zambia

  Abstract

The paper discusses Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) as an approach to natural resource management and conservation. The paper first shows in the preamble that most problems in nature conservation originate from human exploitation of natural resources in the quest to overcome poverty and earn a living. In order to realize the limitations associated with bottom-up approaches to natural resource management, the authors explored deeper into CBNRM as an alternative to the traditional approaches using the desktop research. In particular, the paper explains crystal clearly the idea of CBNRM as an approach to natural resource management while highlighting the benefits and limitations of the approach. Based on the discussion, the paper concludes that despite its limitations, CBNRM remains an effective approach for natural resource management as it is experimental, inclusive and participatory by nature.

  Keywords

Community, Natural Resources, Management, Community Based Organizations, Conservation.