Book review by Webster Whande
Community Based Natural Resource Management Programme Coordinator
Programme for Land and Agrarian Studies, Cape Town, South Africa

The above-mentioned book edited by Daniel Buckles brings an innovative analysis to conflict and natural resources in the developing world. This book will appeal to researchers, practitioners and donor organisations alike irrespective of which part of the developing world they are from. The case studies document the conflicts encountered in natural resource use in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Of particular mention in this book is the ability of the editor and those involved to discuss conceptual aspects of natural resources and conflicts and compliment this with practical examples through case studies. The essays interspersing the case studies provide useful and important background information for those not familiar with the study or implementation of community-based natural resource management projects. The meaning of such concepts as cultural dimensions of conflict, the process and meaning of stakeholder analysis, the impact of development interventions on peace and conflict and the policy dimensions of conflict management are all explored. Whilst this is not a field guide to implementing natural resource projects, the conceptual chapters explore the respective topics in such detail to provide excellent advice for a process model.

The diversity of the case studies adds a unique value to making people understand the dimensions of conflicts occurring in various locations. The case studies also highlight the various levels at which natural resource conflicts occur thereby setting important lessons for development interventions in terms of the importance of understanding local dynamics in relation to the localities, to local government, national government and policy environment and even international forces. For example, the case study from Laos in southeast Asia discusses conflicts at an ecosystem level of a watershed but still pays attention to the diversity of approaches in use of specific resources by the local people, and the use of local resources for commercial purposes.

Whilst I find the discussion at the beginning of the book useful in terms of explaining conflicts and natural resources, it misses out on the opportunity to give a historical account of the evolution of CBNRM. This historical perspective is important especially since CBNRM partly grew out of conflicting approaches to managing natural resources between government agencies and local communities. This may be partly because it lacks potential case studies from southern Africa- a region traditionally regarded to be at the forefront of CBNRM evolution in Africa. The authors should have perhaps opted for a more balanced distribution of case studies across Africa, Latin America and Asia. This lack of balance leads to only one case study from the rest of Africa.

The last chapter on policy implications also misses out on an important lesson for CBNRM- it does not mention or take into account that without adequate and secure ownership rights over natural resources, policies alone can not offer the necessary security needed for CBNRM to succeed. Examples of where policy direction has indicated that without supporting legislation, it’s not enough include governments that have reversed CBNRM policies to suit national development goals.

Cultivating Peace is a recommended book for those seeking to understand natural resources and conflicts, the conceptual aspects behind analysis of such conflicts and even as an entry point to start asking questions about natural resources and conflicts and the roles of various stakeholders. I would, however, recommend that interested readers combine this with more examples of case studies of how other CBNRM initiatives have been implemented and how conflicts arising in such situations have been dealt with.