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Community Based Natural Resource
Management (CBNRM)
Programme Details
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Additional Information:
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Community Forestry
Programme
Community Forestry - a simple guide
What is a community forest? A community forest is an area with the
communal lands for which a local community has obtained forest
resource management rights from the Minister of Environment and
Tourism. A local community comprises all residents in a given area
who are represented by a traditional leader (headman/-woman) and
who have obtained rights from a traditional authority to use that
area for farming, settlement or other purposes.
With a focus on the management of natural vegetation, a community
forest can include a variety of land use types such as forests,
woodlands, grazing areas, farms, settlements, roads and rivers.
The term ‘Forest Resources’ also includes a variety of natural
resources such as trees, fruits, shrubs, herbs, grasses and
animals.
Communities decide which areas should fall under community forest
management regulations and elect community members to form Forest
Management Bodies that represent the interests of local residents.
Forest management bodies develop management plans, supervise and
control forest management activities and ensure the proper use and
distribution of generated revenue.
The transfer of management rights to local communities and
additional income opportunities from forest resources are expected
to motivate local people for sustainable resource management and
improved resource protection.
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Main steps for the establishment of a community forest Interested
communities and traditional authorities are expected to develop or
contribute to:
1. Letter of consent from the traditional authority
2. Election of Forest Management Body
3. Constitution
4. Socio-economic surveys and resource assessments
5. Village land use plans
6. Community forest area survey, mapping and demarcation
7. Forest Management Plans
8. Use rights and conditions of use (by-laws)
9. Proper use and distribution of revenue
10. Resource monitoring and control
Community Forestry in Namibia
Since the mid 90’s the forest policy seeks to reconcile rural
development with biodiversity conservation. Empowering local
communities in communal lands to manage forest resources on a
sustainable basis is expected to contribute to improved livelihoods
and better resource protection. Community forestry is a key program of
the Directorate of Forestry and complements similar CBNRM activities
for game and wildlife management in conservancies. The participation
of local communities and various other stakeholders in the management
of forest resources is considered essential for the success of
community forestry in Namiba.
How communities benefit from community forestry.
Community forests can provide benefits such as:
- Empowerment of local communities and traditional authorities with
rights for improved area and resource control - Income generation
through commercial use of wood and non-wood resources
- Improved land use
- Improved availability of resources for subsistence needs
- Improvement of management capacities and technical skills
- Job opportunities
What are the requirements to obtain such rights (for registering a
community forest)?
The requirements are described in the Forest Act no 12 of 2001 as
follows:
A community must
- submit a formal application for a community forest to the
Minister of the MET.
- elect a forest management body
- develop a constitution for that body
- select, map and demarcate a community forest area
- submit a forest management plan
- specify the rights they wish to carry out in order to manage
and control the area in by-laws.
- must ensure the equal use of revenue generated from such area
to all community members and that an
adequate portion of such revenue is re-invested in
community forest management.
- must prove that all these provisions meet the approval and
consent of that area`s traditional authority.
Community Forests and MET/DoF
The community members through their management bodies will have the
full responsibility under their jurisdiction and this include of
course the management of the designated areas according to the
management plans and must report to the Ministry of Environment and
Tourism, through the Directorate of Forestry that will continuously
offer technical support to concerned communities. Through local DoF
staff, the Ministry will monitor the implementation of management
plans in collaboration with the local management bodies. However, the
Minister may revoke a notice, which declares a community forest if
there has been failure to comply with the agreement made.
For further information about community forestry, contact your nearest
DoF office. Other information can be obtained from:
The Directorate of Forestry
Contact person: Magdalena Yakasita
The National Community Forest Officer
Private bag 13346
Windhoek, NAMIBIA
Telephone: + 264 + 61 + 221478
Fax: + 264 + 61 + 222830
E-mail: ndawapalekwa@yahoo.com
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