So far 20 communal areas were registered as conservancies in Namibia, befitting 39 000 people. Four of the conservancies already funding 100% of their operating cost from self-generated revenues. During his opening speech at a four-day SADC workshop in Windhoek on community-based natural resource management, the minister of environment and tourism, Phillemon Malima said this was a direct result from the sustainable use of natural resources. Altogether five million hectares are now under the protective management of rural communities, bringing social uplifted to them through an income via tourism and selective hunting. A further 35 conservancies will be established in due course. The over 300 delegates from southern Africa shared their experiences on community-based resource management and the way forward.