24 Aug 2015

The Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Tshekedi Khama and acting Batawana Paramount Chief, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi, were among hundreds who thronged the small community of Boro to witness the unveiling of a plague in recognition of the listing of the Okavango Delta as World Heritage Site on Saturday August 22.

The minister read the message on the plague to residents which emphasised the proper protection of the site, and that the listing was a convention that concerned the protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

The minister also noted that the delta was encompassed on an area of over two million hactares with a buffer zone of over two million hactares, adding that the delta was inscribed based on its exceptional beauty, outstanding ecological biodiversity, hydrological processes and for protecting threatened species.

Meanwhile, residents were full of joy and excitement to be part of the unveiling ceremony, saying that they expected more things for the improvement of their livelihoods.

Earlier on, the director of the Department National Museum and Monuments, Gaogakwe Phorano explained that other plagues would be erected in Mababe, Sankoyo, Khwai and Moremi north and south gates.

He said discussions would follow to sensitise the public about what was expected from them and what could be done to improve their living standards.

He said Boro was situated right in the middle of the delta and that many tourists visited the village, but there was nothing they bought from the village in terms of artifacts. 

Phorano challenged the villagers to come up with income generating projects to empower themselves, adding that they could establish small businesses and sell their products such as baskets and fish. Ends