17 Jan 2016

The Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, through the Department of Forestry and Range Resources informs the public that the recent heat wave and lack of rain has severely affected the mophane worms.

According to a press release, a few mophane worms that have been visible in some areas of Boteti and Tutume Sub-districts got affected by the harsh weather condition.

It states that a number of mophane worms have since died and that most harvesters with permits stopped the harvest expedition and went back home from harvesting sites such as Karowe, Orapa and Nkwanapedi.

The release states that a few harvesters are still visible in Kgarapa and Matsitama areas, where the worms are still visible, but almost finished.

Meanwhile, the release says a total of 150 harvesters permits were issued in the Boteti area while 1 662 were issued in the Tutume area.

Meanwhile, the department applauds harvesters in the mentioned sub districts for the good practice of being cooperative in terms of harvesting standards.

The department is however still concerned with some people who harvest phane without permits and in some cases, harvesting it before it matures, not allowing some of it to escape and burrow the ground to become stock for the next season or generation.

Through the release, the public is also reminded that harvesting permits are only issued to citizens and that only persons whose names appear on the permits are allowed to harvest.

It says in some areas non-citizens were found harvesting phane, claiming to have been hired by citizens, an incident punishable according to the Agricultural Resources Conservation Act.

Furthermore, the harvesters are advised to avoid spending long hours in the bush to avoid dehydration, to always practice proper waste disposal and to also use fire with great care.  Ends