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Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM)
Introduction
This Page contains documented efforts at understanding, delimiting, and/or defining the term "Community-based natural resource management" (abbreviated "CBNRM"). While the word 'definition' is used here, it should not necessarily be understood in a strict sense, as it covers a broad spectrum of ways of approaching the term, as well as of understanding it. A list of Sources used in preparing this page is available. See Group CBNRM, Processual terms, as well as Category Overview, especially Item Introduction.
Content
This is the fundamental CBNRM term. It is difficult to define, as CBNRM involves a long process, several disciplines, and may go in any direction depending on the community involved. The area of CBNRM, as it spans continents, countries, cultures, disciplines and sectors, accordingly is hard to pin down. As a result, arriving at a clear-cut definition is difficult. Rather than being a problem, this should be seen as an advantage, certainly at this stage in the evolution of CBNRM. Thus, if one are to propose a definition, first, the context for doing so should be made clear (including, specifically, geographic, sector, ecosystem, topical, etc. contexts), and, second, a definition should ideally be encompassing, broad and inclusive.
Below are efforts at arriving at definitions of CBNRM, taken from representative sources. They are not listed in specific order, with the exception of the first definition. The definitions share a concern with being true to the multitude of realities and experiences that exist in their effort to - in spite of this - try to circumscribe and integrate the practical and theoretical realities of CBNRM.
Definitions
- CBNRM is the management of natural resources under a detailed plan developed and agreed to by all concerned stakeholders. The approach is community-based in that the communities managing the resources have the legal rights, the local institutions, and the economic incentives to take substantial responsibility for sustained use of these resources. Under the natural resource management plan, communities become the primary implementors, assisted and monitored by technical services.
Sources: CBNRM Net (2001), Soeftestad (1999), USAID (2000). Comments: This is an amalgamation of definitions found in three sources. This definition is used by CBNRM Net.
- CBNRM can be characterized as follows:
(1) It addresses both human and natural resource issues, such as the long-term benefit of present and future generations given the inefficieny of state management and objectives such as equity, poverty alleviation and empowerment of marginalized user communities,
(2) CBNRM as a strategy reflects in social and policy terms the parallel nestedness and connectedness of organisms, species, associations and ecocystems in the natural universe and the interdependence between micro and macro levels,
(3) CBNRNM starts with communities as a focus for assessing natural resource uses, potentials, problems, trends and opportunities and for taking action to deal with adverse practices and dynamics, with cooperation and support from other actors linked horizontally (e.g. other communities) and vertically (e.g. higher level or external entities, such as local or district governments, regional bodies, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), universities, or other organizations that have an interest in resource conservation and management),
(4) While in the past NRM was seen as the domain of either state sector institutions endowed with appropriate authority, expertise and other resources, or private sector institutions pursuing individual economic interests and benefits, CBNRM operates mostly in a middle sector of organizations such as user groups, community management committees, local councils, producer co-operatives and similar, though it works best when there are complementary, supportive public and private sector activities,
(5) While management by a central government agency will not qualify as CBNRM, any organization, governmental or other, either on its own or in combination, can undertake CBNRM. CBNRM is management at the local, community level, and
(6) CBNRM is the management of natural resources under a detailed plan developed and agreed to by all concerned stakeholders. The approach is community-based in that the communities managing the resources have the legal rights, the local institutions and the economic incentives to take substantial responsibility for sustained use of these resources. Under the natural resource management plan, communities become the primary implementers, assisted and monitored by technical services.
Sources: Uphoff (1998). Comments: This definition is taken from a key note presentation at the international CBNRM workshop that took place in Washington DC, USA, in May 1998. The workshop and all its output is available on CBNRM Net.
- CBNRM refers to the collective use and management of natural resources in rural areas by a group of people with a self-defined, distinct identity, using communally owned facilities. The aims of CBNRM are to:
(1) Obtain the voluntary participation of communities in a flexible program that incorporates long-term solutions to problems arising from the use of natural resources,
(2) Introduce to natural wildlife resources a new system of group ownership and territorial rights for the communities resident in the target areas. The management of these resources should be placed under the custody and control of resident peoples,
(3) Provide appropriate institutions under which resources can be legitimately managed and exploited by local people for their own direct benefit. These benefits can take the form of income, employment, and production of venison, and
(4) Provide technical and financial assistance to communities that join the program to enable them to realize their objectives.
The focus on CBNRM is not merely the wise management of natural resources. As important, if not more important, is the need for community development, local self-government and the creation of local institutions for the management of common property resources.
Sources: Fabricius (n.d.).
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