Community-Based Natural Resources Management and Rural Development in Nigeria: A Theoretical Review
Rosemary I. Eneji and S. O. Ering

Abstract
Nigeria experiences many challenges such as poor economic growth, severe depletion of natural resources in densely populated areas, frequent weather changes and human diseases like malaria and AIDS. Community-based natural resources management (CBNRM) is the management of land and natural resources which is relevant to, and has the potential to provide solutions to some of the problems in rural settlements, where majority of people live with, and depend on, these resources. Community-based natural resources management should lead to an improvement in the status of the resources and the livelihoods of those living with and managing them. This implies the sustainable use of the resources for the benefit of people. The main thrust of this review is to critically assess CBNRMand rural development based on some sociological theories. The government, concerned organizations and individuals have roles to play in the sustainable development of natural resources and their translation into practical development in rural areas. However, there is need to transition from preservationist and state-driven strategies of natural resources management to a collaborative management approach with full involvement of the host communities.

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