CBNRM Governance Manuals: VAG Management

The program aims to promote community management of wildlife and other natural resources within chiefdoms. The Wildlife Act of 2015 provides for the formation of CRBs, which are constituted from representatives of VAGs. CRBs are responsible for community management of wildlife and other natural resources within their chiefdom. To facilitate this, chiefdoms are divided into zones referred to as VAGs. A VAG consists of all members living in a zone within the CRB and carries out community activities in coordination with the CRB. VAGs are the "building blocks" of CRBs, with each VAG serving as a smaller area where VAG committee members can interact with the community and carry out community activities. The number of VAGs in a CRB varies, with ideally no more than 200 households and not less than 10 villages in each VAG area. The election of VAG committees is held at the VAG level every three years, determining the VAG chairpersons, vice chairperson, and other positions of the VAG committee. The VAG committee plays a crucial role in facilitating the work of the CRB and ensuring accountability and good governance. The committee is responsible for passing on information to VAG members about CRB activities, gathering and passing on information from VAG members to the CRB, holding quarterly meetings with VAG members, and managing any funds allocated to the VAG. The committee also develops proposals for projects and submits them to the CRB or relevant sub-committees. The CBNRM program is guided by three principles: transparency, participatory democracy, and equity. These principles are achieved through regular meetings where information is presented to the membership in the form of well-prepared and structured reports. VAG members have the right to receive information and discuss issues at general meetings at least four times each year. The program has been piloted in six Community Resources Boards (CRBs): Shezongo CRB, Musungwa CRB, Kabulwebulwe CRB, Malama CRB, Nsefu CRB, and Kakumbi CRB. The manuals were developed with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), and the Zambia Community Resources Board Association (ZCRBA) for the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ).