03 Feb 2015

 The government is committed to the wise use of the country’s wetland systems, says the managing director for Botswana Ash, Mr Montwedi Mphathi.

He said this when officiating at the World Wetlands Day Commemoration in Nata on February 2. He said the government had ensured wise use of wetlands through policies such as the Natural Resources Conservation and Development Policy of 1990 and the draft of wetlands policy and strategy.

Mr Mphathi pointed out that all member states who were party to the convention known as Ramsar convention commemorated the day which was aimed at raising awareness on the importance of wetlands to humanity and to the environment.

He highlighted that studies had indicated that 64 per cent of the World Wetlands had disappeared since 1900, especially in Asia as result of rapid population growth and the growing trend to grow energy crops for use in bio-fuels production which he said had led to agriculture putting pressure on wetlands. 

He however said in Botswana, which became a member to the convention in 1997, there was a smart partnership between agriculture and wetlands, giving an example of wetlands agriculture popularly known as Molapo farming practiced mainly in Boteti, Chobe and Ngamiland areas.

Mr Mphathi said the government had been appreciated across the globe for the integrated planning approach to wetlands management.

He stated that through the Makgadikgadi Framework Management Plan (MFMP), the strategy was to ensure that although there were many economic activities taking place in the area such as mineral exploitation, arable and pastoral farming as well as tourism industry practices, there should be co-existence and so far the arrangement had been doing well.

Earlier on the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Toursim, Mr Jimmy Opelo noted that the government was keen to realise sustainable use of the country’s wetland system.

He said through the Department of Environmental Affairs they were committed to the Ramsar principle of wise use of wetlands resources which he said had led to the development and subsequent implementation of the Okavango Delta Management Plan and MFMP.

Furthermore, he stated that taking the commemoration to Nata, the aim was to popularise the MFMP and appreciated the support they had been receiving from Botswana Ash mine in their efforts of promoting and supporting wetlands strategies.

Meanwhile, Kgosi Rebagamang Rancholo urged stakeholders to involve the community in all strategies and programmes aimed at protecting wetlands.  Kgosi Rancholo noted that spreading the awareness message would help people understand better the importance of sustainable use of such land. Ends