Forest Dependency and livelihood around Kasane Forest Reserve, Botswana

Abstract: 
Conservation of biodiversity in protected areas will be more challenging if local communities are heavily dependent on them for various products and subsistence needs. This study estimated forest dependency and identified factors influencing dependency for households living around KFR. Data collected from 237 households were analyzed using logistic regression model. Descriptive results demonstrate the very different resource use of population and the diversity of the local people. Logistic regression suggests that forest dependency is positively and significantly associated with family size. However asset rich households were less dependent on forest resources. Thus, policy makers need to consider the needs and economic options with the above components as an alternative strategy for forest protection so as to create a win-win relationship between conservation and local rural development options.
La conservation de la biodiversité dans les aires protégées sera plus difficile si les communautés locales sont fortement dépendantes d’elles pour les divers produits et les besoins de subsistance. Cette étude a estimé la dépendance forestière et a identifié les facteurs qui influent sur la dépendance pour les ménages vivant autour de la Réserve Forestière de Kasane (KFR). Les données recueillies à partir de 237 ménages ont été analysées en utilisant le modèle de régression logistique. Les résultats descriptifs démontrent l’utilisation des ressources très différente de la population et la diversité de la population locale. La régression logistique indique que la dépendance forestière est positivement et significativement associée à la taille de la famille. Cependant, les ménages riches en biens sont moins dépendantes des ressources forestières. Ainsi, les décideurs politiques doivent prendre en considération les besoins et les options économiques avec les composants ci-dessus comme une stratégie alternative pour la protection des forêts afin de créer une relation gagnant-gagnant entre la conservation et les options locales de développement rural.
Language: 
English
Extended abstract under Enhancing Natural Resource Management
Date of publication: 
2012
Country: 
Region Focus: 
Southern Africa
Collection: 
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Agris Subject Categories: 
Licence conditions: 
Open Access
Form: 
Printed resource
Publisher: 
Notes: 

The 2012 RUFORUM Biennial Conference is the third in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholers in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. The third Biennial Conference was attended by 657 participants.  This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme of Enhancing Natural Resource Management.