I wish to emphasize the significance and importance of CBNRM to the long term conservation of all natural resources and the development of our rural areas. Wildlife conservation and rural development are ultimately linked and are the primary basis for CBNRM. Without community participation the conservation of wildlife in Botswana would face a bleak future. Equally without the perspectives for sustainable economic development of many rural areas the future of these rural areas would be bleak as well. It is this synergy of objectives that provides the powerful rationale for the continued expansion, development and support for community participation in conservation.

The African Elephant that is normally considered a keystone species in an ecosystem is equally a keystone species in CBNRM programmes. Re-listing the growing elephant herds of Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe in Appendix 1 as proposed by the anti-sustainable use activists or banning the sale of elephant products from these countries would not only undermine the conservation efforts spearheaded by these countries, but destroy the base on which CBNRM is founded. �

DWNP (Unpublished) Briefing notes in Botswana Natural Resources Management Project Gaborone, Botswana

DWNP (unpublished) Guidelines for Community Management of Hunting Quotas. Gaborone, Botswana

DWNP (1999) Joint Ventures Gaborone, Botswana

Rihoy E. (1995) The commons without the Tragedy? Strategies for Community Based Natural Resources Management in Southern Africa. SADC Wildlife Technical Coordinating Unit, Lilongwe Malawi

S. C. Modise (unpublished) Presentation of CBNRM Policy & Institutions 1999 CBNRM National Conference. Gaborone, Botswana