Community-Based Conservation in Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park: On Livelihoods and Economic Governance

Abstract

This chapter examines the livelihood strategies of people in local communities located in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP). It also examines, more widely, how the GLTP is managed under the Joint Management Board (JMB) and its interaction with “economic governance” in order to help the local communities benefit economically. The examination is based on the premise that Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) are the most suitable strategy to pursue conservation and poverty alleviation, mostly through ecotourism. To achieve this, a critical and comprehensive review of literature on this subject was done. The findings suggest that, although there are a few cases of successful community-based conservation partnerships, most of the communities have been negatively impacted by the establishment of the GLTP. In the GLTP, it is evident that the tourism and conservation efforts are prioritised over the local communities’ needs.