POWER TO THE PEOPLE!? THE ROLE OF PROCEDURAL FAIRNESS WITHING DECISION PROCESSES OF COMMUNITY-BASED NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN NAMIBIA

Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) is a way of devolving rights over resources to rural residents on communal land, thus enabling them to manage the land themselves. In Namibia, three such approaches are currently applied: Conservancies, Community Forests and Integrated Park Management, whose legislation, decision-making, implementation and benefits to the local population differ significantly. The purpose of this study is to examine if the fairness of decision procedures is positively related to the local population's acceptance of and satisfaction with the respective approach, and to their willingness to comply with rules and regulations. A qualitative review of legislations, policies and constitutions reveals a solid basis for fair decision processes; however, primary research identifies many issues that hinder fair decision-making. The study reveals that fair decision processes influence acceptance and rule compliance partly; however, many further issues influencing CBNRM in Namibia make it a complex context.