27 Jul 2014

The recent listing of Okavango Delta as a world heritage site has attracted a lot of attention from some neighbouring countries.

This followed a visit by the Malawian delegation who visited the site on a benchmarking exercise to learn best practices and approaches on how Botswana did it to be successful.

The delegation met Okavango Wetlands Management Committee (OWMC) to exchange ideas and share information and knowledge on issues pertaining to conservation and management of River Basin.

Speaking during the meeting, the leader of the delegation, Mr Jester Nyirenda hailed Botswana for listing the site as the iconic world heritage. He said his country had made attempts to lists some of the outstanding sites but their efforts were fruitless.

“We are excited and appreciate efforts made by Botswana to list the Okavango Delta as the 1000th world heritage site. That means a lot to Batswana and the region at large,” he added.

Mr Nyirenda stated that it was imperative for the region to work as a team towards the success of listing more heritage and cultural sites in future. 

He said it was difficult for a country to work on its own, adding that collaboration and benchmarking mission would assist to achieve more benefits.

He said in Malawi, they struggled to lists some of their world class heritage sites, citing some such as Nyika National Park and Mount Mulanje. He said some sites were left for private sector to operate in. 

Nyika is the Malawian largest national park it is unique in the region in terms of biological diversity, landscape, scenery and climate.

Mr Myirenda is optimistic that Nyika Park which he described as a non-comparable site in the world would be successful.

For her part, department of National Museum, Monuments and Art Gallary, Principal Curator, Mrs Gertrude Matswiri informed the delegation that it is important to be involved in the Nomination Training Program, adding that the program could assist them a lot to achieve their mandate.

She emphasised the need to collaborate with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) noting that they are eager to help.  She pointed out that lack of support from state parties is a concern as it kills efforts made when examining the site.

Ms Matswiri briefed the delegation about all the processes on how the Okavango Delta was listed noting that the world heritage committee recognised and acknowledged the outstanding universal value of the Okavango Delta.

She said collaboration with other state parties to the convention, international bodies in addressing conservation and management issues of the Okavango Delta was also paramount.

She said  since the site has been listed it is vital for the country to manage it as a World Heritage Site, within the broader picture of Ramsar Site, Okavango River Basin, to maintain its outstanding universal value and integrity.

The country is also expected to maintain a balance between conservation and development in and around the world heritage property, in response to developments aimed at improving the livelihoods of communities and contributing to the economy of the country. ENDS