Participation in Common Pool Resource Management and Biodiversity Conservation
The Case of the Chobe Enclave, Botswana
Charity K. Kerapeletswe (2001)

Abstract

The sustainable management of common pool resources (CPR) depends on the resources generating benefits for rural communities. If there is no immediate gain associated with participation in CPR management, then there will be insufficient incentives for rural communities to participate in its sustainable management (Ostrom, 1993; Swallow and Bromley, 1995, Kant et al., 1998).

It is hypothesised that the level of dependence, social heterogeneity, size of user group, government support, effective leadership and access to market are predictors of participation in CPR management. Factor analysis is being used to construct an index of participation and test these hypotheses empirically to assess to what extent they apply to Chobe Enclave CPR management.

Preliminary findings show that the best chances for effective participation in CPR management can be found among communities that significantly depend on the commons. A conducive policy environment significantly increases participation while wealth provides exit options and hence negatively affects participation in conservation activities.

Contrary to the hypothesis that communities that are isolated from markets are more likely to be successful in sustainable management of CPRs, empirical findings for the case study show that access to markets and transport positively increase participation in CPR management and resource conservation activities.