Economic analysis of community‐based wildlife utilisation initiatives in Botswana

Abstract

Financial and economic cost‐benefit models were applied to determine the worth of several planned community‐based, wildlife utilisation initiatives in Botswana, and to identify policy guidelines. Projects planned to incorporate small‐scale wildlife cropping. Rentals from safari‐hunting or wildlife‐viewing activities were found to have inherent viability, both financially and economically, particularly in the north of the country, where tourism is greatest. However, success is dependent on both good management and high densities of wildlife. In the Kalahari, game at low densities (more than 100 hectares per large stock unit) cannot be cropped profitably by communities and investments in game protection will result in economic gain. At higher game densities (between 100 and about 25 hectares per large stock unit), positive financial returns are possible with community‐based cropping but two considerations are important. First, investment in protection continues to pay economically and, second, cropping at close to maximum sustainable intensity is most profitable economically. Selective protection aimed at restoring proportions of drought‐sensitive game species also appears economically rewarding.

Notes

The study was undertaken while I was employed in the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Botswana. Financial support for this work was provided by the Commission for the European Community and the United States Agency for International Development. Administrative support for this work was provided by FGU Consulting and Engineering of Germany and the Academy for Educational Development of the USA. I would like to thank the Directors of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, TGGG Seeletso and ND Hunter, for support and all those associated with the Department and the Botswana Natural Resources Management Project who provided assistance, especially MH Sebina, DW Law‐son and R Hartley.

Natural Resource Economist, WWF Life Programme, Directorate of Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Windhoek, Namibia.