Local level participatory planning : an approach towards tenure security and development planning
Mulofwa, Jericho et al.
In Namibia access to grazing forms an essential source of livelihoods for the poor. Namibia is witnessing an exacerbation of the proverbial tragedy of the commonss caused by defensivee fencing of communal areas, predominantly by the well-connected and the rich. Since 2006 the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement (MLR) is implementing a land reform program to ensure that land rights are secured, Land Use Plans are established and that development of underutilized land is supported by providing key infrastructure. As part of the implementation, the local level participatory planning (LLPP) process was developed, tested and implemented in three underutilized areas. Through LLPP the MLR has effectively dealt with a host of challenges, including, a lack of congruence between Traditional Authorities and the recently instituted Communal Land Boards as regards the legitimacy of land rights; attempts of marginalisation of certain groups in programme areas; allaying boundary disputes between Traditional Authorities, and the need to create mechanisms to negotiate and secure land rights for groups of local residents. The paper explores design features, institutional overviews, challenges encountered, emerging success stories and possible lessons from a process-based land governance intervention aimed at informed and secured land based investments in a prevailing climate of uncertainty and transition.
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