Browsing Okavango Research Institute (ORI) by Author "Magole, L."
Now showing items 1-4 of 4
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Magole, L.; Thapelo, K. (Botswana Society, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper presents the results of a study carried out on the impact of the recent (2004) severe flooding of the Okavango River on the livelihood of the molapo (flood recession) farming community of Tubu village in Ngamiland sub-district. Government and NGO disaster relief organisations responded to the floods in panic and desperation while affected communities appeared calm and laid-back. To the extent that they (communities) refused to evacuate flood plains and island settlements to make way for the considerably high and potentially dangerous flood of 2004; the communities' reaction was surprising as the floods were so severe upstream, that they caused damage to property, threatened lives and reduced yields significantly. However, studying the farming community of Tubu revealed that community members have other considerations which make them perceive the inherent risk differently from outsiders. Communities view flooding (whether severe or normal) more as part of the biodiversity production system and a source of livelihood than a destructive force. It was found regarding molapo farming that, first, even under hazardous flooding conditions crop yields are still better compared to those under alternative dryland farming. Secondly, destructive floods occur at 10- to 20-year intervals, making the gamble worthwhile because over time the flood-related benefits outweigh the risks. Thirdly, because the molapo farming communities are poor, other sources of livelihood are not adequately developed to take over from molapo farming. Fourth, the system has evolved into an old tradition which the farmers are not willing to part with. Hence the farmers are adamant that abandoning the production system is not, as yet, an option for them. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/949 Files in this item: 1
Magole 2005 Impact of.pdf (1.900Mb) -
Magole, L.; Magole, L.I. (Elsevier www.elsevier.com/locate/pce, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: The Okavango Delta is amongst the largest Ramsar sites (http://www.ramsar.org/sitelist.pdf) in the world and an important wetland for community livelihoods, conservation and tourism in Botswana. Over the years, the utilization of the delta has shifted from communal use to state control, with an increased use for conservation and tourism. This increased use for conservation and tourism has manifested in the physical expansion of the conservation area – Moremi Game Reserve and the formation of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) around the reserve, whose primary land use is wildlife utilization. The expansion of the conservation area has translated into several practical matters, including expansion of the area for non-hunting activities or photographic areas. The livelihoods of local communities of the Okavango delta who depended on fishing, hunter-gathering, livestock rearing, rain-fed agriculture and flood recession farming have been negatively affected by the expansion of conservation and tourism in the delta. The livelihoods alternatives in the form of Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) and tourism have not provided substitutes for the people as the communities are still reliant on the same old livelihood sources as in the past, albeit within smaller and restricted areas. This paper explores the ownership of the natural resources within the Okavango Delta. It asks and attempts to answer the following questions: Who owns and controls the use of the land? Who has access to other resources there in? Who makes the decisions on how the delta resources should be managed and used? Who benefits from the delta resources? We argue firstly that ownership of the delta as defined by legal parameters and demonstrated in natural resource management practice is vested on government. Secondly, government, after assuming ownership of the delta continues to sell its stake to the international community, at the expense of local ownership and access to resources. We conclude that in the process the ability of local communities to source a livelihood out of the delta as they previously used to, is compromised. This we argue works against the goal of sustainable development for improved livelihoods as proclaimed in government policy documents. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/746 Files in this item: 1
Magole_L_PCOE_2009.pdf (1.650Mb) -
Magole, L.; Magole, L.I. (Elsevier, July 15, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: The Okavango Delta is amongst the largest Ramsar sites (http://www.ramsar.org/sitelist.pdf) in the world and an important wetland for community livelihoods, conservation and tourism in Botswana. Over the years, the utilization of the delta has shifted from communal use to state control, with an increased use for conservation and tourism. This increased use for conservation and tourism has manifested in the physical expansion of the conservation area – Moremi Game Reserve and the formation of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) around the reserve, whose primary land use is wildlife utilization. The expansion of the conservation area has translated into several practical matters, including expansion of the area for non-hunting activities or photographic areas. The livelihoods of local communities of the Okavango delta who depended on fishing, hunter-gathering, livestock rearing, rain-fed agriculture and flood recession farming have been negatively affected by the expansion of conservation and tourism in the delta. The livelihoods alternatives in the form of Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) and tourism have not provided substitutes for the people as the communities are still reliant on the same old livelihood sources as in the past, albeit within smaller and restricted areas. This paper explores the ownership of the natural resources within the Okavango Delta. It asks and attempts to answer the following questions: Who owns and controls the use of the land? Who has access to other resources there in? Who makes the decisions on how the delta resources should be managed and used? Who benefits from the delta resources? We argue firstly that ownership of the delta as defined by legal parameters and demonstrated in natural resource management practice is vested on government. Secondly, government, after assuming ownership of the delta continues to sell its stake to the international community, at the expense of local ownership and access to resources. We conclude that in the process the ability of local communities to source a livelihood out of the delta as they previously used to, is compromised. This we argue works against the goal of sustainable development for improved livelihoods as proclaimed in government policy documents. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/754 Files in this item: 1
The Okavango whose delta is it.pdf (853.1Kb) -
Magole, L. (http://www.routledge.com/, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper analyses land management policy using land use mapping, interviews with farmers and other stakeholders, and a review of secondary material. The study was carried out in the Lake Ngami area of Ngamiland District in Botswana. It found that the net effect of policy and development initiatives implemented to curb perceived overstocking, overgrazing, open access tenure and low-output subsistence production was to narrow down the livelihood options for the rural poor and cause further damage to the rangeland. Policy-makers ignored the multi-purpose land use systems and goals of traditional pastoral systems, and emphasised commercialisation of livestock farming and privatisation of communal land. This unfortunately weakened or destroyed the local, traditional land management institutions and set in motion the shrinking of the commons. These policies are a colonial legacy that has survived the transitions from colonial rule to independence. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/807 Files in this item: 1
Now showing items 1-4 of 4