the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ...

The leader in each San band or group was responsible for the utilisation and
management of all natural resources in his territory. He dispatched hunting and
gathering expeditions and ensured that other San groups did not utilise resources
within his area. The leader would defend resources in his territory from other
infringing bands, and would remind his own subjects of their territorial boundaries
and conservation ethics to be observed during hunting. Hence, it was the leaders
that traditionally controlled the hunting and gathering activities in and around the
Okavango Delta (Thakadu, 1997; Bock and Johnson, 2002).
5.4.1.3 Traditional Land Use Management Amongst San Groups
In order to avoid land degradation and the over utilisation of resources, San groups
were migratory in nature but always kept the same camps or sites within their
various movements. The abundance and availability of natural resources such as
water, wildlife and useful plants influenced the location of such camps or
settlements. Mababe (Sandveld Bushmen) groups would move towards the Delta in
drier seasons and years, and outside of the Delta in periods of plentiful rain. These
San movements from one 'settlement' to another were essential in ensuring the
recuperation and sustainable management of resources in the Okavango Delta
region (Campbell, 1995; Bock and Johnson, 2002).
San land, in a particular area or region, was divided accordingly amongst each band
or group. Each group had its own hunting and gathering grounds, and were allowed
to use natural resources in that particular area only. Natural features such as rivers,
hills and large trees often marked the territorial boundaries for each band, and each
band knew that hunting or gathering natural resources in another group's territory
could lead to tribal wars. Therefore, respect for each group's territorial rights was
observed. This respect for each other's territory by San groups gave the respective
band the individual group's rights and custodianship over all the natural resources in
that particular area, which helped ensure the sustainable use of resources by the
San (Campbell, 1995; Bock and Johnson, 2002).
All natural resources in an area were communally owned, and therefore sharing in
terms of their exploitation and utilisation was an important cultural aspect that
required observation by everyone in the band. For example, the meat of large
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