Withdraw the CBNRM Bill &#8211; Trusts tell Tourism Minister

Scores of community trusts in wildlife-rich areas are pushing back against the proposed Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) Bill 2025, warning that it could undermine decades of community-led conservation and natural resource governance. In a joint submission coordinated by the Ngamiland Council of NGOs (NCONGO), the communities raised concerns about what they call the bill’s centralization of power, erosion of autonomy and limited community representation in key governance structures. Their objections were presented in a document dated July 8, 2025, ahead of the bill’s scheduled presentation in Parliament’s winter session. “The bill in its current form threatens to roll back the gains that communities have made over the years in conservation and sustainable development,” the petition stated. “We urge Parliament to amend the bill to better reflect the realities and needs of communities.” Among the most contentious provisions is the creation of a new CBNRM Department. Communities argue its mandate should prioritize household income generation, development of the wildlife economy, direct community participation in hunting quota decisions, and clear standards for participatory governance. Communities are particularly disturbed by clauses allowing the Director of Wildlife and National Parks to request hunting quotas on behalf of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). They insist that communities must be directly involved in quota-setting through structured, democratic mechanisms. “Decisions about our natural resources cannot be made without us. We must be at the table when quotas are set, not sidelined,” the trusts said. On CBO registration and deregistration, the communities are calling for clear and fair procedures, including the right for deregistered CBOs to re-register without permanently losing natural resource access. Another flashpoint is the bill’s provision for only two community representatives on the proposed National CBNRM Board. The trusts are demanding a minimum of five, arguing that CBOs bring the experience and insight necessary for effective resource governance. One of the most fiercely opposed clauses is Article 21, which gives the Director authority to appoint board members to CBOs. Communities say that the move infringes on their autonomy. “Our governance systems have worked for decades. Government interference in the appointment of our board members is unacceptable,” the submission said. The bill also allows the District Commissioner to be a principal signatory on CBO bank accounts, which the communities see as bureaucratic overreach that could stifle efficiency and independence. “We have structures in place to manage funds transparently. This clause adds unnecessary red tape and undermines our ability to respond quickly to community needs,” the trusts said. As an alternative, communities propose establishing a Botswana National CBNRM Association enshrined in the bill. The body would handle CBO registration, self-regulation, capacity building, monitoring governance standards and organizing annual CBNRM forums. Its operations would be funded through natural resource revenues, including the Conservation Trust Fund and resource-use levies. The communities also stress that revenues generated from natural resources should remain under local control to support household economies and offset high living costs in wildlife-dominated areas. “The government’s top-down approach to village development planning does not reflect the real needs of our people,” they said. NCONGO and its affiliates are urging Parliament, civil society and the public to support their call for substantial amendments. Their message is clear: let communities lead. “We want a law that empowers us, not one that limits us. CBNRM has proven successful because it is locally driven. Any law that weakens that foundation is a threat to our future,” the communities said. Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism and Environment Wynter Mmolotsi told reporters this week that the CBNRM Bill remains open to changes as debate continues in Parliament. “We are going to amend and look at all the suggestions as they come,” Mmolotsi said.

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Withdraw the CBNRM Bill – Trusts tell Tourism Minister

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