13 Aug 2015

France Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, Ms Ségolène Royal says there are a lot of natural resource management lessons to learn from Botswana.

Speaking at Seboba Nature and Recreational Park during a visit to the Chobe Enclave Community Trust (CECT) on Thursday August 12, Ms Royal said Botswana was a living global example of ensuring the protection of natural resources and the sustainability of biodiversity and natural resources management.

She applauded Botswana’s achievement in protecting biodiversity, stating that it was a achievement that needs to be recognised worldwide. She commended the country’s commitment to conservation and community development, adding that it continues to inspire a lot of green operations in the country.

“We need countries like Botswana who are in the forefront of eco-tourism to prove at a global level that it is possible to protect the environment,” Ms Royal said.

The French minister noted how Botswana uses its natural heritage to generate resources and create jobs for local communities, and how communities rely on the rich bio-diversity of the country’s environment for their livelihoods. Furthermore, she said the French government would sign a partnership with the government in support of Botswana’s efforts to fight poaching of wild animals.

Ms Royal added that the partnership would work towards establishing a national wildlife office in France which would aid the two countries to work together to preserve and protect natural resources as well as to harmonise the relationship between the countries’ wildlife and communities.

She also noted the support of France in Botswana’s initiatives with regards to green energy development.  

The deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Mr Felix Monggae said Seboba biodiversity site was a project that was meant to show how the government was committed to involving the Kasane community in the management of natural resources and the environment.

He said community participation was vital as it empowers the community to appreciate the value and benefits of wildlife in their lives.

Mr Monggae indicated that Seboba Park, through the assistance of the Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO), promotes ecotourism values that ensure sustainability in the tourism industry.

He noted that there are other projects in renewable energy and the use of solar power in the country that are geared towards managing the environment in the country.

He said that to eliminate the destruction of the environment by elephants, which causes deforestation, they are sinking solar powered boreholes away from the Chobe river. ENDS