The quest for sustainable community-based tourism in Salambala conservancy, Caprivi, Namibia

Abstract

Abstract provided by author:

Having worked at the University of Namibia's Multidisciplinary Research and Consultancy Centre within the Social Sciences Division for three years, I became particularly interested in livelihood strategies amid increasing population and increasing pressure on land. In particular, I was interested in how the income base of the local community could be strengthened by using 'sustainable' tourism in the context of land use. On the other hand, I became more interested in the CAMPFIRE model of community-based tourism and its applicability in the neighbouring Zimbabwe. This interest led to my Master's degree thesis work to answer the question: 'How applicable is the CAMPFIRE model for Namibia?' While discussing the changing patterns of animal and human population demography in relation to land use, I simultaneously present the position and links of sustainable community-based tourism and wildlife management in Salambala. I try to show that, while CAMPFIRE could be applied in Namibia, it would require more innovative strategies and approaches to integrate its implementation with other land use plans at the regional level. Despite the various coping strategies employed by the community the challenge still remains: How can community-based programmes (which appear to take long) be integrated with other land-use plans? Based on my field data, I argue that with research and innovative strategies, the conservation and people's interests can co-exist. The data, which form the basis of my analysis, were collected between December 2000 and January 2001 in Salambala Conservancy, Caprivi Region, Namibia