Environmental criteria analysis can contribute to sustainable local level land use planning – Linyanti/Katima Mulilo rural/Kabbe constituencies, Caprivi Region, Namibia

Abstract

The contribution of local knowledge to land use panning and sustainable utilization of natural resources is enormous, yet often overlooked by conventional top-down approaches of regional integrated land use plans. The rich knowledge of local land users contribution to implementation of top-down plans is very important. The study investigates the importance of environmental criteria analysis in sustainable land management through engaging the community at local level, using Salambala Conservancy in Katima Mulilo Rural, Lusese Village in Kabbe and Mayuni Conservancy in Linyanti constituencies, Caprivi region, North East Namibia as case studies. Looking at an array of environmental indicators and land use practices which people use, the study investigates the proportional contribution of complex indigenous land use management strategies of the environment. It further revealed that wherever different groups of people use land and its resources, land use is always planned, consciously or subconsciously. The study uses several methods to capture these issues of interest. Evaluation of environmental sustainability through an appropriate environmental framework is applied as an approach to engage local level land use planning. Pressure State Response Framework (PSR) was found to be useful methodology at local community level for identifying the right indicators for monitoring objectives.