07 Jul 2015

An official from the department of Environmental Affairs, Mr Kgotso Sebeko has assured Batawana that the listing of Okavango Delta as a World Heritage Site has no implications on the inhabitants.

Mr Sebeko said the inhabitants would not be relocated and that their livelihood would not be affected as they would continue with their economic activities.

Mr Sebeko said when responding to some residents during a kgotla meeting to brief the community about the successful listing of the delta, and preparatory plans on the celebration of the listing of the delta.

He informed the gathering that the Okavango Delta was listed as the 1000th World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee, hence the need to preserve and maintain its beauty.

“The listing of the delta does not change the livelihood of the inhabitants or what has been existing in the delta, and if there are some implications, they would be because of the existing laws and policies,” he said.

The expectation, he said was for the community to utilise the natural resources sustainably and wisely. Also, he revealed that UNESCO had appreciated co-existing of the community and wildlife.

He said residents would also be taken on board to decide on the entry points to the delta.

The district development officer, Mr Mogomotsi Ramodisa said some activities such as mining had been stopped at the delta.

Mr Ramodisa said there were now certain requirement and expectations from government on how they would look after the site.

Listing of the delta, he said would bring more benefits to the community at large and as a result they should utilise the natural resource in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Earlier on, residents expressed their fears that listing might have negative impacts on the community as they might be relocated in future. Also, they wanted to know the benefits of listing of the delta.

In addition, they said there was poor consultation regarding listing of the delta.
Kgosi Prince Shashe said out of the 57 villages in the district, only 36 villages were visited for consultation.

He said information regarding the listing of the delta was not properly communicated to make the affected villagers understand the implications of the listing.

In spite of the delta attracting a number of tourists, he said there were suspicions that the move would come with negative impacts on the residents. Kgosi Shashe said there had been some complaints from the inhabitants that they had been told to stop their economic activities.

Also, he said they were not happy with plans to celebrate the listing which were already ongoing.

“We are not happy with the way consultation has been conducted. It is more like an order to us. We want things to be channeled in a proper way so that all could have an input,” he added.

However, Mr Sebeko said consultation was conducted prior to the listing in 36 villages.

He also noted consultation was ongoing regarding the celebrations.

The celebrations would be held in Maun and Shakawe and dates would be announced in the due course. Ends