Browsing Research articles (ORI) by Author "Mbaiwa, J.E."
Now showing items 1-10 of 10
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Mbaiwa, J.E. (Elsevier, www.elsevier.com, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper reviews available literature concerning water resources use in the Okavango River Basin (ORB). It describes a number of common arguments regarding possibilities for the emergence of violent conflict in and among Basin states, particularly those states party to the Okavango River Basin Commission (Okacom)—Angola, Botswana and Namibia. The paper presents data concerning present and future water demands and examines a number of formal, institutional steps taken by global and regional actors to facilitate sustainable development, natural resources management and peaceful cooperation in the Basin. Contrary to trends in much of the literature, the paper suggests that there is great scope for enhanced inter-state cooperation in the Basin. It argues that to achieve sustainable utilisation of water resources and avoid violent conflict in the ORB, an integrated management plan for the entire basin needs to be developed. In addition, each basin member-state should observe international and regional conventions and treaties governing the use of water resources when designing national water development projects that require the use of water from the ORB. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/934 Files in this item: 1
Mbaiwa Causes and Solutions.pdf (1.775Mb) -
Mbaiwa, J.E. (Elsevier, September 5, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: The Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) program in Botswana aims at achieving conservation and rural development. In the Okavango Delta, some communities are involved in tourism through CBNRM to improve their livelihoods. However, research has not adequately analyzed changes caused by CBNRM on traditional livelihood activities and lifestyles. This study, therefore, uses modernization theory to analyze changes on traditional livelihood activities and lifestyles caused by CBNRM at Sankoyo, Mababe and Khwai villages in the Okavango Delta. Using primary and secondary data sources, results indicate that CBNRM is causing a decline in traditional livelihood activities like subsistence hunting, gathering, crop and livestock farming. As a result, a modern cash economy has emerged. New livelihood activities done by communities include: employment in CBNRM projects, the sale of crafts to tourists and thatching grass to tourism lodges. Income derived from CBNRM affords households to build modern houses, buy foreign foods and household equipment like: four-burner gas stoves, kitchen utensils, and satellite televisions. Conversely, this causes a decline in the consumption of traditional foods and the use of huts and household utensils. CBNRM is thus a modernization tool since it is causing a transformation of traditional livelihood activities and lifestyles. However, even though changes in livelihood activities and lifestyles may be an indication of the dynamism of culture in study villages, sudden change and modernization may increase livelihood insecurity. As such, tourism planning should ensure that modernization is sensitive to traditional economic systems and the need for rural livelihood sustainability. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/805 Files in this item: 1
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Toteng, E.N.; Mbaiwa, J.E.; Moswete, N.N. (Botswana Society, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper is derived from a broader study that examined community attitudes and perceptions towards ecological issues in Maun and Gaborone to determine how these could be harnessed towards ecologically sustainable urban development. The major problem in the two study sites is that there has been rapid urban growth since the 1970s, but very little attention has been devoted to the environmental implications of that growth. The environmental issues on which community attitudes and perceptions were sought included the following: urban water and waste water; urban solid waste management; urban impacts on wildlife; and urban energy conservation and management. These issues were selected on the basis of what the authors were able to obtain socio-ecological data on, given the time and financial constraints of thestudy. The urban ecosystems management model is used as an analytical framework that could be further harnessed by policy and decision-makers to mobilize stakekeholders towards sustainable urban development. A social survey method was used to generate data among heads of households in Maun and Gaborone. It was found that most ordinary members of the community were not involved by government authorities in decision-making affecting natural resource use and environmental issues. However and in general, the communities had positive attitudes and perceptions towards environmental issues. The major draw-back is that these communities are generally not consulted by state agencies in decision-making processes affecting their environment. It is concluded that this is inimical to ecological urban development. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/945 Files in this item: 1
Toteng 2005 Community.pdf (2.443Mb) -
Thakadu, O.T.; Mangadi, K.T.; Bernard, F.E.; Mbaiwa, J.E. (Botswana Society, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: This study aimed at assessing the economic contribution of safari hunting to rural livelihoods in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, using Sankuyo village as a case study. This study was carried out between June and July 2004. It employed primary and secondary data sources. Findings indicate that, within the context of Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM), safari hunting has socio-economic benefits accruing to Sankuyo (at household and community level). These benefits include income(coming in the form of cash dividends and through employment) that have been generated, and the development of recreational and household sanitation facilities that has taken place in the village. The study also found that the distribution of safari hunting benefits among Sankuyo households is fairly equitable. Income from safari hunting has also been used to purchase communally owned resources such as vehicles. Because of these benefits, the people of Sankuyo have since developed positive attitudes towards safari hunting. These findings thus suggest that safari hunting is important in improving rural livelihoods in the Okavango Delta while at the same time promoting natural resource conservation. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/944 Files in this item: 1
Thakadu 2005 Economic.pdf (2.744Mb) -
Mbaiwa, J.E.; Stronza, A.M. (Routledge (Taylor & Francis) www.routledge.com, January 19, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: 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. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/960 Files in this item: 1
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Mbaiwa, J.E.; Mbaiwa, O.I. (International Journal of Wilderness; http://ijw.wilderness.net/, December NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: This article examines the effects of veterinary fences on wildlife populations in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Using data from secondary data sources, findings indicate that the existence of veterinary fences in the Okavango Delta contributes to the decline of wildlife species in Botswana. Veterinary fences are erected to control the spread of livestock diseases in order to protect the European Union beef market where Botswanaâ s beef is largely exported. Migratory wildlife species such as wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, buffalo, and tsessebes have their migratory routes blocked by veterinary fences and hence die from dehydration and entanglements in the fence. Those that get trapped by the fence often become easy kill targets for poachers. Some of the animals have been observed walking along the fence trying to cross. The erection of veterinary fences indicates that the expansion of livestock production into wildlife areas threaten the survival of wildlife in Botswana. To address the problem, an integration of wildlife production with other sectors such as agricultural development should be made a priority at national and local policy levels. This means that the principles of sustainability should be given priority in the erection of veterinary fences in wildlife areas. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/28 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb)mbaiwa_int_j_wilderness_2006.pdf (338.1Kb) -
Darkoh, M.B.K.; Mbaiwa, J.E. (Wiley, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: This study assesses land-use conflicts in the Okavango wetland ecosystem. A survey of the livelihood activities of a sample of four villages has been carried out and a stakeholder approach used to identify and analyse the key actors involved in resource competition and conflicts in the area. Traditional and emerging stakeholders were identified and found to be in conflict not only with each other but within themselves. Institutional policies on land use in the area are not properly harmonized, and there has been a top-down approach to development planning and implementation of development programmes. As a result, land-use conflicts have escalated in the area. The Okavango Delta Management Plan adopted in 2007 should integrate and harmonize all the land-use policies, and land management in the area. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/730 Files in this item: 1
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Mbaiwa, J.E. (John Wiley and Sons, http://www.wiley.com, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper uses the concept of sustainable rural livelihoods and income diversification to assess the role that basket making as a cultural tourism activity can play in improving rural livelihoods in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Using both primary and secondary data sources, this paper points out that shocks and natural causes such as drought, disease and changing flood levels in the Okavango River, particularly the drying of the Thaoge (one of the distributaries of the Okavango), have contributed to a decline in livestock and crop yields and increased poverty levels in the region. Therefore, alternative livelihood options that can diversify rural incomes from agricultural production need to be identified. This paper argues that basket making has the potential to diversify rural incomes and improve livelihoods in the Okavango. Baskets are a cultural tourism product that can raise income earning and employment opportunities for rural residents in the Okavango. For this to be successful, basket making will need to be developed as part of cultural tourism. A sustainable cultural tourism sector where baskets are key products requires the sustainable use of natural resources used for basket making. These resources are at present overharvested and are threatened with depletion. There is also a need to promote the empowerment of basket weavers particularly in entrepreneurship and managerial skills in the tourism business, attract young and educated people and promote the preservation of traditional basket making skills, which are important in the development of cultural tourism. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/935 Files in this item: 1
Mbaiwa 2004 Int Journ Tourism.pdf (3.700Mb) -
Mbaiwa, J.E. (Routledge, http://www.informaworld.com, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: The objective of this article is to assess the socio-cultural impacts of tourism development in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. This paper largely relied on the research work and reports by the author in the Okavango Delta from 1998 to 2004. In all instances, both primary and secondary data sources were used. However, much of the paper is based on the results of a survey carried out between April 2001 and July 2002. Findings indicate that tourism development in the Okavango Delta has both positive and negative socio-cultural impacts. Some of the positive socio-cultural impacts include income generation and employment opportunities from both community-based tourism projects and safari companies, infrastructure development such as airport and airstrips, tarred roads, hotels, lodges and camps, the improvement of social services such as banking, health, telecommunications and access to electricity. The negative socio-cultural impacts include enclave tourism, racism, relocation of traditional communities, breaking up of the traditional family structure, increase in crime, prostitution, the adoption of the Western safari style of dressing and a traditionally unacceptable ‘vulgar’ language by young people. This article argues that tourism needs to be sensitive to local cultural norms and beliefs for it to be accepted by local people and promote sustainable development. This is possible if all the stakeholders (government, operators and local people) collaborate in policy formulation, implementation and monitoring. This can minimise the negative cultural impacts and instead promote the positive. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/946 Files in this item: 1
Mbaiwa 2004 Tourism Culture.pdf (4.520Mb) -
Mbaiwa, J.E. (Society of South African Geographers; http://www.journals.co.za/ej/ejour_sageo.html, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper assesses the success and sustainability of Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) in the Okavango Delta. It does so by asking the following questions: a) to what extent has CBNRM contributed to sustainable natural resource use, rural economic development, enhanced rural livelihoods and benefit sharing? b) To what extent has power been devolved to the rural communities especially in relation to resource ownership and management? c) What are the existing and potential challenges facing the successful implementation of CBNRM in the Okavango Delta? With illustrations from the three CBNRM projects of Okavango Community Trust, Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust and the Khwai Development Trust, this paper notes that local communities have successfully established community trusts as institutions to provide leadership in their participation in tourism and natural resource management. They also derive socio-economic benefits from CBNRM such as the participation in decision-making, employment and income generation. However, the lack of entrepreneurships and managerial skills, understanding of the concept of CBNRM, poor benefit sharing on CBNRM participants, and enclave tourism are some of the challenges that face CBNRM in the Okavango Delta. In the event that empowerment issues especially training and capacity building are successfully addressed, CBNRM in the Okavango Delta has the potential to be a successful model of community-based tourism. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/157 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb)mbaiwa_sagj_2004_msm.pdf (111.4Kb)
Now showing items 1-10 of 10