The !Khob !Naub Conservancy, registered and gazetted in 2003 is the largest of
the four conservancies in southern Namibia. It is established with the purpose of
introducing game to the area, protecting and managing game and other natural
resources, exploring tourism development and attracting tourists as well as
creating jobs and generating income. The Conservancy is run by the
Conservancy Management Committee with the support of 10 support agencies
comprises of government institutions and NGOs. There are also Conservancy
Coordinator and eight Community Game Guards.
The study was undertaken to assess and analyse the status of assets (natural,
social, human, financial and physical) prior and current to the !Khob !Naub
Conservancy establishment; to determine the impact of the Conservancy
establishment on the community‟s asset base, livelihoods, and income streams;
to assess the success and failure of the support agencies to provide livelihoods
of community; and to make recommendations for future policies and programmes
related to CBNRM in southern Namibia.
The research findings shows that the Conservancy project did not make any
difference in the livelihoods of the community and there is no improvement in the
resources assets base namely natural, physical, social, human and financial.
Game has slightly increased and community receives 2-3kg of meat benefits
occasionally. Only few employment opportunities were created. The
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Conservancy is heavily relying on the support agencies for any assistance as
they could not generate sufficient income to cover their own costs.
Recommendations are made for further researches and exploration of joint
venture and business enterprise opportunities in areas of tourism development
and natural resources exploitation.