Community Power, Participation, Conflict and Development Choice: Community wildlife conservation in the Okavangi Region of Northern Botswana

In 1992, the Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act was legislated in Botswana, initiating a move from central government control of wildlife and other natural resources while providing concessions to allow communities living in, or adjacent to wildlife areas a greater role in management of these resources. Since that time, Wildlife Management Areas have been set up and projects such as the USAID funded Natural Resource Management Program have been established. This document describes the transition of natural resource management from the state to one set of local communities surrounding the Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana and the implications and results of development choices on two focal villages.