Botswana Passes Landmark Bills to Strengthen Community and Sustainable Resource Management

Botswana Passes Landmark Bills to Strengthen Community and Sustainable Resource Management. Parliament has officially passed the Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) Bill, 2025 and the Forest and Range Resources Bill, 2025, marking a major policy milestone for Botswana’s environmental governance and community-led conservation.

The CBNRM Bill, tabled by Minister of Environment and Tourism Wynter Mmolotsi, secured 22 votes in favour, three against, and one abstention. The legislation formalises community-based approaches to sustainably manage local natural and cultural resources, granting communities a legal framework to oversee wildlife, heritage sites, and related assets.

Key amendments include Okavango West MP Kenny Kapinga’s addition to Clause 23(2) clarifying when proceedings may be initiated “in the interest of the public,” and Okavango East MP Gabatsholwe Disho’s changes to Clause 24(3), which added two Community-Based Organisation (CBO) representatives to the Technical Advisory Committee and introduced a requirement for members to have at least two years’ managerial experience. Further amendments introduced oversight mechanisms for misappropriated CBO funds and clarified that trust property remains vested in the CBO.

The Forest and Range Resources Bill, 2025 passed with 23 MPs in favour, four against, and one abstention. The bill establishes the Department of Forestry and Range Resources and creates a framework for sustainable forest and rangeland management. Notable changes included Chobe MP Simasiku Mapulanga’s successful addition to Clause 22 requiring community consultation in management decisions, and a reduction in penalties for non-reporting from P1 million to P10,000.

For Botswana entrepreneurs and community enterprises, these laws open opportunities for sustainable eco-tourism, community-led conservation businesses, and value-added resource projects. By embedding governance, accountability, and local participation into natural resource management, the legislation sets a foundation for environmentally responsible business ventures that can contribute to both livelihoods and biodiversity preservation.