The Realities of Ecotourism Development in Botswana - Responsible Tourism: Critical Issues for Conservation and Development - page 189

indicates a partial return of custodianship and stewardship of natural resources to
local communities. Studies (e.g. Thakadu, 1997; Mbaiwa, 2002; Bolaane, 2004)
have shown that local people were disposed from resource areas such as the
Moremi Game Reserve a century ago when Botswana came under British
colonial rule in 1885. At independence from British rule in 1966, Botswana's
post-colonial government adopted colonial policies and continued with the
process of centralizing natural resources, particularly wildlife (Mbaiwa, 2002).
Access to land for ecotourism by rural communities can be described as local
empowerment to natural resource use. The empowerment of local people has the
potential to improve rural livelihoods and encourage sustainable natural resource
use.

Reinvestment of revenue generated from ecotourism
In some communities, funds generated from ecotourism have been ploughed
back into other tourism enterprises and community development projects. For
example, Sankoyo has established a 16-bed photographic lodge (Santawani
Lodge), a cultural tourism centre (Shandrika) where tourists can view the cultural
activities and way of life of the people of Sankoyo and a campsite (Kazikini)
(Mbaiwa, 2004a). Some of the Trusts have ploughed back revenue generated
from ecotourism into the provision of social services and community develop-
ment projects (Table 9.4).
Livestock farming, dryland crop production and remittances from relatives
and family members working in urban centres play a significant role in promoting
rural livelihoods. At present, there is no study that has measured the monetary
value of the agricultural output and remittances obtained by communities in
wildlife-based tourism areas. However the social services provided as a result of
ecotourism to the various communities demonstrate that ecotourism plays a
significant role in rural livelihoods and economic development in Botswana.

Table 9.4 Social services provided by trusts to their villages

Type of Social Services Amount Given & Comments

Assistance for funerals P200 to P3000 per household

Support for local sport activities P5000 to P50,000 per village

Scholarships P7000 to P35,000 per village

Services and houses for elderly people P150 to P300 per month per person

Assistance for orphans P40,000 per Trust

Assistance for disabled people P15,000 per village

Provision of communication tools Available for use by all community members

such as radios
Transport services particularly in the Available for use by members

use of vehicles
Installation of water stand pipes Every household in Sankoyo and Mababe

in households Villages have been provided with this

Source: Arntzen et al, 2003; Mbaiwa, 2004a, 2007; Schuster, 2007