24 Jun 2015

Botswana is committed to ensuring that the Kavango-Zambezi Trans Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) partnership bears fruit and that communities of the five countries could make a living out of it.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Wildlife, Environment and Tourism at the just ended KAZA ministers’ meeting in Kasane recently, permanent secretary in the ministry, Mr Elias Magosi said the five countries;  Angola, Botswana,  Namibia,  Zambia and Zimbabwe should therefore ensure commitments to KAZA action plans.

“This could be realised through commitment and by the much needed political will,” he said. He explained that KAZA had become pivotal to the region's eco-tourism growth potential and sustainability as it would impact the economic, environment and social development of the five countries.

Mr Magosi noted that the progress in implementation had been slow from the past five years and there was need to expedite it for the benefit of the five countries.

He said KAZA TFCA comprised of many protected areas in the respective countries and it was also inhabited by communities hence the need for deliberate ecosystem management and sustenance.

“Often these communities pay the opportunity cost associated with living close to the protected areas by sacrificing their crops, livestock grazing areas and even their own personal lives’’,  he said.

Mr Magosi said in Botswana, the challenges had been recognised and, through concerted efforts in incorporating wildlife, ecotourism and rural livelihoods in symbiotic relationships, sustainable co-existence could be achieved.

He said the co-existence would however be realised when the  KAZA TFCA  countries work together in mobilising resources and harmonise actions to mitigate the negative impacts experienced by the communities.

He commended the partnership between KAZA TFCA and the German government through KfW saying he believes it will benefit the five countries.

Mr Magosi told delegates  about Botswana’s  desire to offer protection for endangered wildlife such as rhino, one of the species that is being decimated in many parts of the world, and that South Africa and Zimbabwe donated the rhinos to Botswana.

“While we commend the two countries for their gesture it also places a heavy responsibility on the country to ensure protection and safety of these rhinos and endangered species,” he explained.The Zimbabwean Minister of Environment, Water and Climate.

Mr Saviour Kasukuwere who is also the outgoing chairperson of KAZA TFCA said the progress achieved since the last meeting in March last year is satisfactory.

He said the construction of the KAZA TFCA staff houses at Pandamatenga and park’s headquarters and staff houses in Sioma Ngwezi National Park in Zambia were completed on time.

Mr Kasukuwere noted that the demining programme in Angola where 70 per of the KAZA area has been cleared of mines thus improving accessibility to the areas and efficiency in wild life law enforcement.

He said to further enhance the development of the KAZA TFCA programme, the ministers approved the recommendations on harmonisation of natural resources management and tourism development policies, legislation and management practices, KAZA Master Integrated development plan and the KAZA Financial Sustainability Strategy among others.

The ministers meeting was aimed at reviewing the progress and make strategic decisions on the KAZA Programme.

Angola was elected to chair the KAZA TFCA.  Zimbabwe has been the coordinating country for the past two years. Ends