Before independence in 1990, wildlife populations in Namibia's communal areas were plummeting as a result of extensive poaching during prolonged military occupation. By applying lessons from neighbouring countries' attempts at community-based natural resource Management (CBNRM), and through its own earlier successes in devolving wildlife management to commercial landholders, the context was set for a national CBNRM programme after independence. In 1996, Namibia passed the Nature Conservation Act, giving rights over wildlife and tourism to local communities that formed management bodies called conservancies. This move allowed communities to benefit from wildlife on communal land by working with private companies to create a tourism market.