07 Feb 2017

Wetlands are a source of food and a habitat for most endangered and rare species. This was said by MP for  Okavango Mr Bagalatia Arone during  Commemorating of World Wetland in Shakawe recently,

“The delta produces one of the fresh, bream fish that attracts tourists from all over the world,” he said .

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama, Mr Arone said the Okavango delta was said to be the most famous inland in the world.

“It provides a home for 200 000 large mammals and 400 bird species during the region’s parched winter season,” he said

He urged the community to stop littering especially the area near the ferry boat, asking those who usually washed their cars in the delta to stop doing so as they contaminated the wetlands.

He said Batswana needed to look back in the days when the elderly were in charge, to ensure sustainable management of the wetlands.

MP Arone said the event marked a day to introspect on the importance of the delta and the environment in general and find ways on how to take care of the delta as it could improve the lives of all as an economy.

‘’I challenge all researchers to come up with ways in which the delta could be of benefit to the locals and how it could be preserved,’’ said Mr Arone.

He hailed the elderly and the ancestors who he said were environment mindful and cared for the wetlands in order for the approaching generations to witness them. ‘’It is for this reason that the delta was listed as the 1000th world heritage and as a Ramsar site.’’

One of the Okavango conservation pioneer, Mr Jersey Segole said way back the wetlands were given adequate reverence by the elderly, ancestors as people did not just get into the delta anyhow.

He said there was a fishing season and approval was given to those who wanted to view the delta and also there were people designated to take care of the wetlands.

The day was celebrated under the theme World Wetlands for disaster risk reduction, and is annually celebrated on February  2, worldwide. ENDS