organisations. The following table (table 1) provides an overview of the existing CBOs, their mandate and linkage to higher levels. In Malawi, different systems coexist promoting rural participation in decision making and poverty reduction through general community development and communal management and sustainable use of natural resources. Different sectors have developed their own systems to integrate wildlife management into their activities (WESM 2006). For example, Village Natural Resources Management Committees (VNRCs) often exist alongside Village Development Committees (VDCs). Equally, it is possible that a communally managed Forest Area’ applies to the same area as a ‘Village ‘Wildlife Management Authority’. WESM has recommended that there is need to harmonize the sector institutional framework for wildlife management within the decentralized structure. Table 1: Existing Community Based Organisations active in EMNWR project area Key Mandate and Current Status and Support Staff Main Channel Responsibility Activities on the for Higher Organisations Ground Level Support (CBOs) 1. Chiefs and Overall local Well established and Headmen, Local Traditional governance. active. Attending Government, Authority (TA) Represent the District matters of land and Development District Commissioner and natural resources and Committee, Assemblies Office of the President resolving social Village Courts on the ground conflicts 2.Village Natural Resource use in PAs Partially established Village Heads, Department of Resources and communal areas and some active in Group Village National Parks Committees and contributing to areas around the Heads and and Wildlife (VNRCs) their management reserve. village (DNPW) Controlling NR use in members parks and reserves, managing and monitoring compliance with agreements, enforcing law 3. Wildlife Resource use in PAs Umbrella organisation Local Chiefs, DNPW Management and communal areas of VNRC chair Authority and contributing to Not yet established in persons. their management EMNWR area Group Village Heads 4.Various NRM Generating income Established and active. Local Chiefs, Community based Income from several CBNRM Small scale activities VNRCs, NGOs Development Generating Activity activities including Office, (IGA) Groups beekeeping, Forestry mushroom collection Department, and fish farming DNPW 5.Village Community Established with some Village Local Development development and active Headman Government, Committee social organisation at District village level Assembly 6. Area Community Established with some Local Chiefs Local Development development and active Government, Committee (ADC) social organisation at District area level Assembly
organisations. The following table (table 1) provides an overview of the existing CBOs, their mandate and linkage to higher levels. In Malawi, different systems coexist promoting rural participation in decision making and poverty reduction through general community development and communal management and sustainable use of natural resources. Different sectors have developed their own systems to integrate wildlife management into their activities (WESM 2006). For example, Village Natural Resources Management Committees (VNRCs) often exist alongside Village Development Committees (VDCs). Equally, it is possible that a communally managed ‘Village Forest Area’ applies to the same area as a ‘Wildlife Management Authority’. WESM has recommended that there is need to harmonize the sector institutional framework for wildlife management within the decentralized structure. Table 1: Existing Community Based Organisations active in EMNWR project area Key Organisations (CBOs) Mandate and Responsibility Current Status and Activities Support Staff on the Ground Main Channel for Higher Level Support 1. Chiefs and Traditional Authority (TA) Overall local governance. Represent the District Commissioner and Office of the President on the ground Well established and active. Attending matters of land and natural resources and resolving social conflicts Headmen, Development Committee, Village Courts Local Government, District Assemblies 2.Village Natural Resources Committees (VNRCs) Resource use in PAs and communal areas and contributing to their management Partially established and some active in areas around the reserve. Controlling NR use in parks and reserves, managing and monitoring compliance with agreements, enforcing law Village Heads, Group Village Heads and village members Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) 3. Wildlife Management Authority Resource use in PAs and communal areas and contributing to their management Umbrella organisation of Not yet established in EMNWR area Local Chiefs, VNRC chair persons. Group Village Heads DNPW 4.Various NRM based Income Generating Activity (IGA) Groups Generating income from several CBNRM activities including beekeeping, mushroom collection and fish farming Established and active. Small scale activities Local Chiefs, VNRCs, NGOs Community Development Office, Forestry Department, DNPW 5.Village Development Committee Community development and social organisation at village level Established with some active Village Headman Local Government, District Assembly 6. Area Development Committee (ADC) Community development and social organisation at area level Established with some active Local Chiefs Local Government, District Assembly
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