There is growing recognition in Zambia of the need to transfer power and decision-making processes into local communities and establish principles of local ownerships of natural resources. Government documents such as the National Conservation Strategy of 1985, the National Environmental Action Plan of 1994 and the National Parks and Wildlife Policy of 1998 have articulated the need for the involvement of local communities in Natural Resources Management. The Zambian Government has prepared and is now in the process of implementing the decentralisation policy.   

The Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) strategies were formulated and implemented in 1988 under the Administrative Management Design (ADMADE) for Game Management Areas (GMAs).  This followed successful results from the pilot project implemented from 1985 to 1987 in the Lupande GMA in Eastern Zambia.  The ADMADE programme later spread to many GMAs across the country.  The programme allowed for co-management of wildlife with the local communities in the GMAs and sharing of the benefits of conservation that included financial resources.  Finances due to local communities were later used on local community projects. The Wildlife Conservation Revolving Fund (WCRF) was created by the Zambian Government to provide a mechanism for ploughing back in GMAs of some of the revenues earned from wildlife utilisation by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), now Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA).  Under the ADMADE, the producer local communities in GMAs retained 35% of the funds generated.  The funds assisted the local communities in supplementing Government effort and the following are some examples on which funds were utilised:

·         Construction of clinics and schools

·         Education sponsorships

·         Procurement and installation of hammer mills

·         Maintenance of roads and bridge infrastructure

·         Improvement of farming systems

·         Empowerment of women through women club initiatives

The experiences earned during ADMADE led to the enactment of the 1998 Zambia Wildlife Act that makes specific provisions for the participation of local communities in wildlife management through local institutional structures known as Community Resources Boards (CRBs) whose composition is as follows:-

1.            7 – 10 representatives elected by the local community

2.            1 representative of the local authority in the area

3.            A representative of a Chief in whose area a CRB has been established.

The Chief in whose area a CRB has been formed is a Patron to the CRB.  Applications to establish a CRB are made by the traditional leadership to ZAWA, which then facilitates the holding of elections.  Guidelines on the formation of CRBs are in place.  CRBs provide the link between ZAWA and the local communities.

Further, according to the Zambia Wildlife Act the CRB performs the following functions: -

(a)  Negotiate, in conjunction with ZAWA co-management agreements with hunting outfitters and photographic tour operators.

(b)  Manage the wildlife under its jurisdiction, within quotas specified by ZAWA.

(c)  Appoint Village Scouts to exercise and perform the duties of a Wildlife Police Officer under the supervision of a Wildlife Police Officer in the area falling under CRB jurisdiction.

(d)  In consultation with ZAWA, develop and implement management plans which reconcile the various uses of land in Game Management Areas/Open Areas.

(e)  Perform such other functions as ZAWA may direct or delegate to it.

A total of 63 CRBs have so far been formed countrywide.

In return for their participation in the management of the wildlife resource, communities receive a share of revenue arising from consumptive utilisation of wildlife in their respective areas.  The current agreed ratios are:

Hunting Fees

Local Communities (CRBs)     -           45%

Chiefs (Patrons)                         -           05%

ZAWA                                          -           40%

Central Treasury                         -           10%

Concession Fees

Local Communities (CRBs)     -           15%

Chiefs (Patrons)                         -           05%

ZAWA                                          -           80%

Local Communities are expected to utilise these public funds on local community agreed socio-economic development projects such as schools, health centres and feeder roads.  Guidelines on the utilisation of community funds are in place.  It was agreed with CRB representative in 2004 that 45% of their revenues would be spent on wildlife protection, 35% on community projects and 20% on administration of CRB.

In addition, hunting outfitters that have been awarded hunting concessions in respective Game Management Areas have made specific pledges to develop their respective areas of operation.

The following amounts in millions of Zambian Kwacha have so far been disbursed to local communities through these years:

The CBNRM has been adopted as a strategy for sustainable wildlife management and contributes to poverty alleviation and improved household food security.