18 May 2016

 The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for Chobe forest reserves management plans will initiate the assessment process and consider the inception report.

Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Forestry Conservation Botswana (FCB) chief executive officer, Mr Joshua Moloi, stated that this was in line with the organisation’s mandate of taking projects meant to conserve, maintain and restore the forests for the improvement of livelihoods.

“Forest Conservation Botswana recognises the importance of biodiversity management towards the development of both social and economic fronts,” he said.

Mr Moloi said 45 per cent of the country’s area was set aside for conservation, however biodiversity loss continued to take place due to veld fires as well as pastoral and arable farming amongst other factors.

When providing a background on the Strategic Environmental Assessment, the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Mr Felix Monggae said FCB sponsored the assessment with over P1.5 million.

“The consultancy commenced in April 2016 and it will be undertaken within a period of nine months till January 2017,” he said.

Mr Monggae said they were aware of indications pointing to the vulnerability of the Chobe forest reserves, due to the encroachment of expanding settlements adjacent to the reserves and demand for resources, particularly to facilitate the increasing infrastructure development in the district.

Mr Monggae stressed the need for proper management to restrain possible threats to the much cherished forests.“The decision to open reserves is clearly a way to determine and enable some element of sustainable resources use in the reserves, particularly through ecotourism activities,” he highlighted.

Chobe is home to six forest reserves, which are earmarked for biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilisation. ENDS