Governance dynamics in rangelands: An evaluation of the applicability of Ostrom's principles in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

Abstract

Rangeland ecosystems represent key natural resource settings where sustainability issues linked to their governance, use and management abound. Growing pressure and the consequent unsustainable use of sub-Saharan Africa's rangelands continue to attract scientific and policy interests. Cameroon bears eloquent testimony to the current lethargy; despite threats of rangeland transformation, not enough empirical evidence exists on the manifestations of communal-based governance processes that shape the sustainability of rangelands. We contribute to provide this evidence by: (1) Mapping actors’ interests around rangelands, and (2) Exploring the manifestations of Ostrom principles, and the sustainability of their resource use outcomes. Twelve key informant interviews, complemented by 10 focus group discussions were used to generate relevant data, complemented by document analysis. We employed thematic analysis and narratives, to derive the following conclusions: (i) While state actors’ interests revolve around disease control and conflict management, non-state, especially community-based actors, demonstrate interest on the resource use components of rangelands. These divergent interests further threaten the sustainability of rangelands. (ii) State and community actors’ interests overlap with regards to securing pasture in rangelands. (iii)While rangeland boundaries were hardly clearly defined, collective voice and participation were found to be significantly present amongst pastoralists. Self-governed community arrangements were hardly achieved without the direct and/or indirect facilitation of state actors and catalyzing agents. The results suggest the need for the institutionalization of clear cut boundaries. This should be accompanied by a new governance arrangement - a jelled institutional platform which breeds legitimacy from both formal and informal rangeland actors. Further quantitative empirical evidence is needed to ground this assertion.