30 Nov 2014

The Department of Wildlife and National Parks in collaboration with The Life for Cheetahs Organisation and Association of Environmental Clubs of Botswana (AECB) have launched a book titled: The Wildlife at My Home,  which covers issues on conservation of nature based on protection of wild animals.

The book, written in both Setswana and English will be used in primary schools around the country and each region will get 660 books.

When launching the book, acting Ngamiland regional education director, Ms Baetsi Danso praised the author, Mr Matto Barfus who is the leader of The life for Cheetahs Organisation for a job well done. 

She said Mr Barfus has fulfilled recommendation 44 of the Revised National Policy on Education of which calls for infusion of environmental education in the education system. She said the book came at the right time and targeted the right people. 

Ms Danso noted that Mr Barfus, a passionate environmentalist saw the need to target the future generation from grass root level by coming up with such a relevant piece. 

“Today’s generation of children grow up indoors and their knowledge on nature is limited and this book would close the existing gap in our children concerning conservation,” she added.

Ms Danso said conservation education in Ngamiland region is key in sustaining the rich biodiversity. She said on top of the basic education provided there was need to enhance Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) when contemporary issues arise. 

She said that schools need more encouragement, resources and time to devote attention to environmental education, adding that through support, students could become environment custodians and transfer their knowledge into positive environmental action in their own schools.

Ms Danso also thanked the chairperson of AECB, Mr Tapson Patane for the launch adding the region has wildlife in abundance and human wildlife conflict was at its highest. 

“When such happens people resort to killing wild animals because they invade their space without even thinking we could be the ones invading their space at times. The children need to know the importance of living in harmony with wild animals,” she said.

For his part, The Life for Cheetahs representative, Mr Seoganetseng Boeng cited the organisation’s main objective as promoting long term conservation of environment and advocating for co-existence between wildlife and humans. 

He said that involves collaboration with both the government and other non-governmental organisations and developing strong relationships with the local communities to bring them into the problem solving process as valued participants.

Mr Boeng said his organisation believes that formal and non-formal environmental education shall be jointly planned to compliment and supplement one another hence the reason they came up with the book and many more initiatives aimed at promoting conservation.

Mr Boeng said the book was produced as a present to children in Africa to give them light or knowledge on the wildlife around them and to promote co-existence.

He said some copies of the book could be found in countries like Namibia, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania just to mention a few. He said it makes them happy to see their efforts being recognised nationally. ENDS