The Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) program in Botswana
aims to achieve biodiversity conservation and rural development in rich biodiversity
areas like the Okavango Delta. CBNRM assumes that if rural communities derive
benefits from natural resources, they will be obliged to use such resources sustainably. Using the sustainable livelihoods framework, this study analyzes the effects of tourism
development through CBNRM on rural livelihoods at Khwai, Sankoyo and Mababe in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, using primary and secondary data sources. Results
of long-term surveys and in-depth interviews indicate that the three communities have forgone traditional livelihood activities such as hunting and gathering, livestock and
crop farming to participate in tourism through CBNRM. Livelihoods in these villages
have been improved as a result. Basic needs such as shelter, employment and income and social services like water supply systems, transportation, scholarships and payment of funeral expenses are now provided to community members and funded with income from CBNRM. Social capital has been built up in order to agree, manage and develop
the CBNRM process. These results show that tourism development in these villages
is achieving its goal of improved livelihoods, contradicting claims that community
development projects are failing to achieve rural development.