Benefits
Sound CBNRM optimizes the use of the natural resource base to enhance agricultural productivity goals, ensure long-term sustainability, and protect the livelihoods of farm families. Improved natural resource management has increased soil fertility and water retention, reversed soil erosion, improved water management, maintained and/or improved biodiversity, reduced habitat destruction, and reduced deforestation. Economic opportunities from sustainable use of natural resources can act as a catalyst in reducing poverty and improving food security (box 5.7). Early economic benefits from NRM, equitably distributed to stakeholders, are important to develop the commitment to continue sustainable management systems. In addition, the transfer of control over development funds to community institutions enables them to contribute to decision-making processes; it also increases rural peoples’ ability to demand and obtain rights and services. The Access Initiative, a new Bank tool, is an effort to assess people’s access to information, participation, and justice in decisions that affect the environment (The Access Initiative, http://www.accessinitiative.org).
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Box 5.7 Armenia: Natural Resources Management and Poverty Reduction Project
In Armenia, the Natural Resources Management and Poverty Reduction Project contributes to sound resource management and poverty reduction through:
- A small grants scheme for biodiversity investments that supports alternative livelihoods to increase rural incomes while reducing pressure on natural resources.
- A community infrastructure and income generation fund that supports the rehabilitation of access roads and the stabilization of land at risk from landslides and erosion.
- A forest management component that supports the generation of employment opportunities targeted at surplus household labor.
Source: World Bank internal documents
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Policy and Implementation Issues
Conflict resolution. Control over natural resources is often highly political, since natural resources can be the basis of production and wealth (box 5.8). Powerful interest groups, hesitant to give up control over natural resources, often come into conflict with local stakeholders over scarce resources. Devolving control to community groups can lead to conflicts between local authorities and communities as roles and responsibilities change. Without adequate traditional or formal mechanisms for conflict prevention, management, and resolution, conflicts among different interest groups often result in inequitable sharing of economic benefits and unsustainable practices of natural resource use.
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