WHY DOES POLICY IMPLEMENTATION FOR COMMUNITY BASED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT REMAIN A CHALLENGE IN MALAWI AND WHAT STRATEGIES CAN IMPROVE THE SITUATION?

This paper ponders the case of Malawi and explores how despite having an enabling policy and legal framework for community based conservation, implementation failures have stifled Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) and delivery of benefits to local communities. It assesses the underlying issues that prevail within the context of CBNRM sectoral policies which pose some challenges in the implementation of CBNRM activities. The paper provides a general overview of CBNRM implementation in Malawi. It also gives a brief outline of the status of natural resources and natural resources management in Malawi. The paper has also revealed that the impact of CBNRM varies within and among the various sectors. In addition, a number of challenges affecting CBNRM sector policies have also been described. Finally, a list of suggestions as strategies to counteract the challenges faced in CBNRM implementation has also been outlined.