Community-based natural resource management: a promising strategy for reducing subsistence poaching around protected areas, northern Botswana

The basic principles of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) are rural economic development, community empowerment and sustainable natural resource conservation. Many studies have been done on all the three principles, but a few have assessed and compared perceptions and dynamics of subsistence poaching between CBNRM and non-CBNRM communities. We conducted a cross-sectional study in two CBNRM and two non-CBNRM communities in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, to compare perceptions on trends and drivers of subsistence poaching between the two community types. We administered semi-structured questionnaires and interview schedules with heads of households and key informants, respectively, and facilitated focus group discussions. Our results showed a significant association between the respondents’ views on poaching trends and community type (CBNRM and non-CBNRM) (p < 0.05). Although most respondents in CBNRM and non-CBNRM communities believed poaching had decreased in the last few years, there were 13% more respondents in CBNRM than in non-CBNRM communities that believed poaching had decreased. Poaching was believed to be higher in winter and when the floods were low. CBNRM communities further believed the hunting ban on wildlife introduced in 2014 was contributing to poaching, contrary to the views of the non-CBNRM communities who associated the ban with the decrease in poaching (p < 0.05). The low incidents of poaching, positive perceptions on wildlife conservation in general and community-driven anti-poaching efforts observed in CBNRM communities point to CBNRM as a promising strategy for reducing subsistence poaching in and around wildlife-protected areas.