by Dumisani Khumalo, Zimbabwe, October 1997
THEME = RURAL LIFE
The Communal Areas Management Programme
for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE),
has earned Zimbabwe more than Z$61 million dollars in five years,
but the country's
natural resources are not being adequately or efficiently used to
ensure sustainable growth
Africa's rural communities are increasing their use of the variety of natural resources available to them, but in many rural areas, the conservation programme, CAMPFIRE, while contributing significantly towards rural development, has failed to indicate how use can be made of these resources to alleviate poverty.
The United States' Agency for International Development (USAID)'s regional director for southern Africa, Valerie Dickson- Horton, says: "As we approach the final two years of the Natural Resources Management Programme, we cannot say that we have definitely proved that the Programme is the answer to sustainable natural resources management, or rural poverty alleviation in southern Africa", she said, addressing more than two hundred delegates at the second biennial Natural Resources Management Programme Conference held at the resort town of Victoria Falls.
She went on to say: "Some households are unable to initiate natural resources programmes, because of lack of funding and technical support. Effective regulations and government systems to implement recent legislative changes, have not yet been put in place in some countries. The issue of transparency and accountability in the handling of licences and in revenues, have not yet been resolved".
CAMPFIRE started in 1989 to alleviate poverty in most rural households. It is now estimated that one in every five rural households, participates in the Programme which will continue up to 1999, if necessary funding continues to come in.
Charles Chipate is secretary to the Ministry of Mines, Environment and Tourism. He told the Victoria Falls conference, that CAMPFIRE's membership had increased from 9,000 households to 200,000 during a period of five years. He went on to say that earnings from the Programme have ben used to finance basic infrastructures in the rural areas, by providing schools and clinics.
Present at the conference, were representatives from traditional leaders, from central governments, from the private sector and from donors who want a definite plan of action for the Southern African Development Community, and from Non-Governmental Organisations.
Mr Nkala, is Rainbow Tourism's Chief Executive. He said that the private sector has to take an interest in preserving the country's natural resources. Also, "the private sector has to sustain itself by entering new markets", he said, "especially in the face of globalisation. If more people were to become actively involved in economic activities, less funds would need to be channelled into welfare".
Mr Francis Kamanga of Zambia said that the private sector needs to enhance its involvement in rural development, and stop giving donations and hand-outs. Investment in programmes which improve standards of living, and which participate in controlling disease and alleviating poverty, must respect the cultures of the communities they work in. He said that "roles previously left to government, such as the establishment of development infrastructure (constructing roads and bridges) are now open to private sector involvement". This is as it should be, with local people being involved in the work of developing the country.
END
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