Conflict Resolution and Management between Local Fishers and Tour Operators in the Okavango Delta’s Panhandle, Botswana

K. Mosepele, G. Mmopelwa, D. L. Kgathi, O. Setswalo, B. Mosepele

ABSTRACT

Conflicts among different fisher groups are a global concern, and the Okavango Delta fishery is no exception, which is composed of commercial, subsistence and recreational fishers. Possibly due to conflicting value/use systems, and ill-defined user rights, there have been documented cases of conflict between commercial and recreational fishers, which may affect livelihoods for local fishers. Therefore, this study’s aim was to identify causes of conflict between these groups and to propose management inventions. Primary data collected in three fishing villages showed that lack of access, misconceptions about each other, and overlapping use were identified as some of the major causes of conflict. Subsequently, this paper proposes a spatial and temporal zoning of fishing grounds as a management tool towards conflict resolution. One proposal is that recreational fishers can utilize the main channel, commercial fishers the floodplains and lagoons, while basket fishers can utilize the fringes of floodplains, lagoons and river channel. Moreover, a co-management regime has also been developed in the fishery, upon which a code of conduct was developed to also reduce conflict in the fishery. It is envisaged that this approach will reduce conflict and create an enabling environment for efficient and sustainable fish utilization in the Delta.

 

Acess Full Article: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?paperID=55891

Conflict Resolution and Management between Local Fishers and Tour Operators in the Okavango Delta’s Panhandle, Botswana

By: K. Mosepele, G. Mmopelwa, D. L. Kgathi, O. Setswalo, B. Mosepele

Conflicts among different fisher groups are a global concern, and the Okavango Delta fishery is no exception, which is composed of commercial, subsistence and recreational fishers. Possibly due to conflicting value/use systems, and ill-defined user rights, there have been documented cases of conflict between commercial and recreational fishers, which may affect livelihoods for local fishers. Therefore, this study’s aim was to identify causes of conflict between these groups and to propose management inventions. Primary data collected in three fishing villages showed that lack of access, misconceptions about each other, and overlapping use were identified as some of the major causes of conflict. Subsequently, this paper proposes a spatial and temporal zoning of fishing grounds as a management tool towards conflict resolution. One proposal is that recreational fishers can utilize the main channel, commercial fishers the floodplains and lagoons, while basket fishers can utilize the fringes of floodplains, lagoons and river channel. Moreover, a co-management regime has also been developed in the fishery, upon which a code of conduct was developed to also reduce conflict in the fishery. It is envisaged that this approach will reduce conflict and create an enabling environment for efficient and sustainable fish utilization in the Delta.

Read more:http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/nr.2015.64028

Climate Change, Rural Livelihoods and Agriculture

Climate change is a major challenge for agriculture, food security and rural livelihoods for billions of people around the world. In this paper, the author seeks to identify climate change related threats and vulnerabilities associated with agriculture as a sector and agriculture as people’s livelihoods (exposure, sensitivity, adaptive capacity). The paper analyzes the connections between the nature of human action as drivers of threats as well as opportunities for sustainable agriculture and better human development outcomes. Broadly, it examines the impact of climate change on rural livelihoods, agriculture, food security. It discusses the options for adaptation and mitigation and requirements for implementation at local, national and international level of these measures. The full link is available here.

Community mapping for climate adaptation

According to John Waugh, improving access to information technology can help communities assess their own vulnerability and boost local planning. Climate change affects virtually all of the natural systems necessary for human survival. It has implications for water supply, food production, health and physical security. Climate impacts will vary from region to region, so planning for adaptation must be context specific, often local. It is more cost-effective to improve communities' access to information and technology for participatory planning, such as maps. Modest investment will increase their ability to assess local vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, strengthen their resilience, and extend the reach of national adaptation plans. Full paper available here.

Sustaning food security through innovation

This paper looks at research about sustaining local food systems, biodiversity and livelihoods. It showcases how farming communities are taking the lead in action research to revive diverse, locally controlled food systems. Full link to paper available here.

A sustainable livelihoods mainstreaming strategy

This document outlines the major areas of scope whereby the mainstreaming strategy will address the underlying root causes, threats and drivers that affect the achievement of twin conservation and livelihoods goals. These include: Forests and habitat, species, wildlife trade and crime control, freshwater and wetland conservation, response to climate change impact and adaptation measures, and good governance and social inclusion including policy and advocacy for equity and capacity. The document also describes the expected major areas of change and broader impacts that will be brought about after mainstreaming the sustainable livelihoods strategy.This article is available at:http://zunia.org/uploads/media/knowledge/sustainable_livelihood_strategy_low_4_mb_june_20111318138361.pdf

Peril or protection: The link between livelihoods and gender-based violence in displacement settings

When are displaced due to conflict or human rights abuses, women often adopt new strategies to provide for themselves and their families. CPC partner the Women's Refugee Commission is working to determine whether programs set up to provide women with safe, alternative livelihoods do in fact reduce their risk of exposure to violence. Without economic opportunities, women resort to dangerous and desperate measures to provide for themselves and their families, often heightening their risk of sexual exploitation and abuse. However, when economic opportunities are provided without built-in protective elements, an increase in sexual violence outside the home and heightened domestic violence within the home often ensue.

Water reforms during the crisis and beyond: understanding policy and political challenges of reforming the water sector in Zimbabwe

This paper dicusses the challenges and achievements of the water reform in Zimbabwe and how the reform's objectives are being met. It also looks at the prospects for re-engaging with the water reform vis-à-vis rural livelihood improvement in a post-crisis period. It is suggested that a realistic attempt to re-engage with water reform policy aimed at improving rural livelihoods in a post-crisis Zimbabwe should be aware of ‘old’ and ‘new’ issues that undermine improved access to, and management of, water for rural livelihood improvement. The article is available at: http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/download/5902.pdf

FAO's tool weighs pros and cons of biofuels

The costs and benefits of investing in biofuels may become easier for policymakers with a guide launched by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The Bioenergy and Food Security (BEFS) Analytical Framework, released last month has been tested in Peru, Tanzania and Thailand. According to Heiner Thofern, head of the BEFS project, the goal is to help policymakers make informed decisions on whether development of bioenergy is a viable option for their countries and, if so, identify policies that will maximise benefits for the economy and minimise risks to food security. For example, the report found that Peru's natural biomass could meet local energy needs and contribute to poverty reduction by providing cheaper energy and offering new income opportunities. And Thailand, which aims to increase biofuel production to five billion litres by 2022 through its alternative energy development plan, "has the means to realise the government's plan for the development of the biofuels industry in a sustainable manner, without negatively impacting on food security". But in Tanzania, biofuels could pose risks and could hamper food security, according to the BEFS report. Still, with adequate investments and policies, biofuels "can contribute to achieving the country's development objectives of enhancing economic growth and reducing poverty", it said, highlighting cassava as a good biofuel option for the country. Full report available here.

Dr Heinz San Collection: The search for true meaning of the San's way of life

The library digitization team recently came back from a trip in the Bere/Takatshwane regions where they sort assistance of the San communities to transcribe Dr Hans Heinz slides collection. Dr Heinz lived amongst the !Ko San for many years and married Namkwa, a !Ko of Takatshwane. He studied the San social organisation and recorded their botanical, entomological and anatomical knowledge. The slides are a rich collection of the San communities' cumulative knowledge of all aspects of their way of life. They will soon be accompanied by narrative from the San themselves. The Heinz slides collection is available in the ORI library.

ORI staff on the move.

ORI Senior Research Scholar, Dr.Barbara Ntombi Ngwenya has recently been promoted to Associate Professor. A graduate of the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work, Prof. Ngwenya taught in the Department of Social Work, University of Botswana prior to joining the Institute in 2003 as a cultural anthropologist specializing in natural resource management and conservation of the Okavango and other regional wetlands. Additional responsibilities have included the supervision of both local and international undergraduate and graduate students.Prof Ngwenya has also published extensively in the areas of sustainable rural livelihoods and development, HIV/AIDS, poverty and food (in) security, community based natural resources management and indigenous knowledge systems and environment. She has presented over 45 research results to the academic community and policy makers around the world including Australia, Canada, USA, Portugal, Italy, Thailand, Korea, Uganda, Malawi, Swaziland and Botswana.Congratulations Prof Ngwenya!

New book: rural livelihoods, risk and political economy of access to natural resources in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

The book edited by ORI Professors, D.L.Kgathi and B.N. Ngwenya and M.B.K.Darkoh from the Department of Environmental Science, University of Botswana, is a compilation of chapters by different researchers( mainly from ORI), and covers a wide subject range pertaining to the Delta. Areas of research covered include livelihoods, indigenous knowledge, government policies on natural resources management, botany, property rights, conservation, land issues and conflict management. The book published by Nova is now available.

The state of food and agriculture 2010-2011 Women in Agriculture

According to FAO's 2010-11 edition of The State of Food and Agriculture report, if women in rural areas had the same access to land, technology, financial services, education and markets as men, agricultural production could be increased and the number of hungry people reduced by 100-150 million. The report documents gender gaps in the access to a wide range of agricultural resources, including land, livestock, farm labour, education, extension services, credit, fertilizers and mechanical equipment. Full report available on the FAO website.

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers: failing minorities and indigenous peoples

The report presents not only an overview of how PRSPs have become the focus of international development thinking, but also how the lack of critical analysis and evaluation of PRSPs in terms of their ability to move communities out of poverty has meant that it is business as usual for a number of interest groups. The report also provides some recommendations as to how the current PRSP model and practice needs to be improved if it is truly to become an engine for positive change on the ground. the full report is available on: http://zunia.org/uploads/media/knowledge/MRG_PRSPRep_June101297920074.pdf

Biodiversity Centre

For 10 years now, Kasane's CARACAL Biodiversity and Environmental Education Centre has been focusing on the health of Chobe District ecosystems and the human/wildlife interface, as well as sustainable rural livelihoods.Its various projects addresses the relationships between habitats, wild and domestic animals and people. In the words of the CARACAL President, Dr. Kathy Alexander of the Virginia Tech, USA : " We are trying to secure the health of ecosystems and to look at how people sustain themselves in these environments with a view to developing opportunities for rural dwellers". One of its key area of research is how disease is passed between humans and wild animals and the centre is currently working closely with the Ministry of Health to examine how animals contribute towards human contraction of TB and vise versa. Another project carried out in collaboration with the Botswana Predator Conservation Programme examines how human behaviour affects wildlife health, focusing on predator health.

Climate change adaptation is mainly about water

Water directly influences the Earth's ecosystems and therefore people’s livelihoods and well-being. Already, water-related climate change impacts are being experienced in the form of more severe and more frequent droughts and floods. Higher average temperatures and changes in precipitation and temperature extremes are projected to affect the availability of water resources through changes in rainfall distribution, soil moisture, glacier and ice/snow melt, and river and groundwater flows; these factors are expected to lead to further deterioration of water quality as well. The poor, who are the most vulnerable, are also likely to be affected the most. Article available at: http://www.wsscc.org/sites/default/files/publications/un_water_climate_change_adaptation_is_mainly_about_water.pdf

We are all in the same boat

Stigma is a major cause of suffering for people living with HIV. This toolkit is part of the growing international response to do something about stigma. Its aim is to educate about HIV stigma and discrimination and build their skills, confidence and commitment to act against stigma.
Children in HIV affected households also face stigma – they may be badly treated by their extended family or the family that decides to take them in, they may face verbal and physical abuse and may be forced to drop out of school.
Access this document at:
http://www.aidsalliance.org/includes/Publication/All_in_the_same_boat.pdf

Banking on biodiversity: A natural way out of poverty

The rural poor are dependant on biodiversity for food, fuel, fodder, building materials and medicine. "Biodiversity loss impoverishes all of us, but for the hundreds of millions face to face with it, the consequences can be unimaginably bleak," the authors write. See http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/17085IIED.pdf for full report

Synthetic biology: The next assault on biodiversity and livelihoods

As global attention switches to the next climate talks in Cancun, Mexico, ETC Group releases a groundbreaking report that lifts the lid on the emerging global grab on plants, lands, ecosystems, and traditional cultures. 'The New Biomassters - Synthetic Biology and the Next Assault on Biodiversity and Livelihoods is a critique of what OECD countries are calling 'the new bioeconomy.' Concerted attempts are already underway to shift industrial production feedstocks from fossil fuels to the 230 billion tones of 'biomass' (living stuff) that the Earth produces every year – not just for liquid fuels but also for production of power, chemicals, plastics and more. This emerging bioeconomy is being sold as an ecological switch from a ‘black carbon’ (ie fossil) economy to a ‘green carbon’ (plant-based) economy, and is in fact a red-hot resource grab of the lands, livelihoods, knowledge and resources of peoples in the global South, where most of that biomass is located.

Graduate students presentations

Yesterday three HOORC Graduate students made their presentations on various topics. The first presentation done by Moseki R. Motsholapheko was titled Rural livelihoods and adaptation to flooding in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, whilst Nqobizitha Siziba focused on the Implications of seasonal flooding of the Okavango Delta floodplains on microinvertebrates and juvenile fish production. Lastly, Gaolathe Tsheboeng 's presentation was on the Relationship between highflood regime and soil nutrient status in floodplain vegetation communities in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.