CONFLICT-MANAGEMENT FOR MULTIPLE RESOURCE USERS IN PASTORALIST AND AGROPASTORALIST CONTEXTS

The article addresses conflict management in contexts where pastoralis ts and agro-pastoralists are engaged in multiple resource use systems. In these a resource is used by more than one owner, either for the sa me purposes (e.g. rangelands which are grazed by different herdowners or groups of herdowners), or for different purposes (e.g. wetlands whi ch are used for both cropping and for grazing). In such situations con flicts and disputes and attempts to resolve, accommodate or manage con flict, have become increasingly important issues. The article examines the causes of conflict in these contexts, and discusses innovative ap proaches to its prevention and management. Also explored are the impli cations For conflict management oi policies and programmes which promo te decentralization and the empowerment of local decision makers.