10 Dec 2017

Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust (CECT) is one of the community based organisations which have defied the odds when many across the country experienced challenges in operations and sustenance.

CBOs, commonly known as community trusts, benefited through the Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programme which aimed to improve natural resource conservation, rural livelihoods and reduce human wildlife conflicts as well as poverty.

In some parts of the country, it seems most CBNRM projects focused on wildlife utilisation (hunting and tourism), but later extended to other natural resources.

Hunting was the dominant activity amongst most trusts and since the hunting ban, many were adversely affected but with CECT, it was different as the management had clear vision and decided to diversify their activities to generate more funds.

The Chobe enclave trust is a typical example as the management walked the journey together during difficult times.

CECT chairperson, Mr Amos Mabuku confirmed that they benefited from the CBNRM programme, adding that since the establishment of the trust in 1984, they managed to sustain themselves as the trust was still going strong up to date.

He explained that CBNRM sought to increase local benefits of natural resources and contribute to their sustainable use and management.

He said teamwork, cooperation, transparency and accountability from both the board and the community were some of the recipes that kept them going.

In addition, he said there was order, adding that skilled manpower was taken seriously as the trust had engaged people who were trained for the job.

Mr Mabuku noted that they generated a lot of income through hunting, but said they realised the need to think outside the box and diversify their activities towards agriculture and culture.

The trust, he said, managed to buy six tractors in order to encourage the community to utilise their farming land effectively since they were not benefiting from rearing livestock because of predators.

He revealed that community and household benefits were important means to improve livelihoods, and to demonstrate the benefits of CBNRM to the community and to stimulate a positive attitude towards community resource conservation.

Mr Mabuku also stated that they managed to construct a four star lodge and establish a photographic area where they protected wildlife species.

He said they have realised that at one point the species would become extinct, and that it would be an opportunity to venture into photographic activity.

“To date, the photographic project is progressing well as we managed to generate P1.7 million. With the profit we managed to construct the second lodge to boost our coffers,” he added.

The trust had also engaged in many activities which have benefited the community such as ensuring that basic necessities such as electricity were brought nearer to villages such as Parakarungu.

He added that electricity vendors and tuck shops were opened in strategic areas in many villages.

Some young people were trained in handcraft so that they could start their own businesses.

He said the trust has invested over P700 000 in the community.

Mr Mabuku thanked the CBRNM programme and said he wished other trusts could take the programme seriously, as they could do more if well implemented.

He also invited them to benchmark from them, noting that it was frustrating as some trusts were not attracting sponsors because of lack of trust on the boards.

He also stressed the need to engage auditors in order to win trust from sponsors and support from the community. ENDS