22 Sep 2016

North West District councillors have been urged to join hands and ensure the smooth implementation of the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) project.    

  The project, which aims to improve the livelihoods of communities, is funded and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It aims to mainstream sustainable land management in the range areas of Ngamiland District for improved livelihoods.

Acting project coordinator, Mr Phemelo Ramalefo urged political leaders to be involved in creating community awareness and promoting ownership of the project.

He made the plea when updating councillors about the project progress. He said they have realised that there was lack of understanding of the project mandate, and that councillors could play a leading role to mobilise communities so that the project could benefit them as expected.

Mr Ramalefo said the project supports what communities could have for survival, adding that they aim to ensure proper land use planning and arable agricultural practices.

He said they have realised that the participation of key stakeholders needs to be enhanced through re-mobilisation. In addition, he said for the project to produce the desired results, government departments have to lead the activities for sustainability.

He said when the project comes to an end, the government would be responsible to look after the outcomes hence the need for public officers to play a leading role in the implementation of activities.

The coordinator also said community based organisations have limited capacity to co-implement the project, adding that  there was need to capacitate them.

Councillors were informed that UNDP has allocated USD$634  for the implementation of activities under the project. He said some activities that were ongoing include the environmental compliance training of law enforcement agencies, adding that about 60 officers from government departments attended the training.

He said a fire management draft strategy was under review as they want to see the community responding with or without government agencies taking the lead in fighting veldt fires.

Mr Ramalefo also explained that the project covers the Tsodilo enclave which is threatened by veldt fires. adding that the project would come up with strategies to control the fires at the site. Ends