Title: Economic returns and allocation of resources in the wildlife sector of Botswana
Abstract: Wildlife utilization in Botswana was studied to find out (1) whether it generates positive
contributions to national income, and (2) which combinations of uses can generate most
income. Financial and economic models of different land uses were combined in linear
programming and cost-benefit analyses. Results show that the wildlife resource in
Botswana can contribute positively to national income, and this justifies government
investment in the sector. The sector is economically efficient, and contributes to Botswana's
economic development. Wildlife uses need to be fully developed in ways that maximize their
economic contributions. Non-consumptive tourism on high-quality wildlife land will give the
greatest economic returns, and should get priority. Safari hunting, community-based wildlife
use (where viable), and limited intensive ostrich and crocodile production should also
be given priority for investment. Other uses should get lower priority, but all should be
developed. On about a third of wildlife land, wildlife uses have a clear economic advantage
over livestock uses. The remaining two thirds of wildlife land has poor capacity to generate
use value. Here, commercial livestock ranching is not an economic threat, but traditional
livestock keeping is. A ban on consumptive wildlife uses in Botswana would significantly
exacerbate this threat.
Publication Year: 2001
Publication Date: 2001-10-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 44
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