02 Aug 2017

The  Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama says government has introduced a non-lethal electrified fence along the Boteti River so as to reduce human wildlife conflict.

The Member of Parliament for Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi had asked the minister to explain the circumstances that led to the relocation of people away from the Boteti River and the subsequent fencing off.

The minister noted that human wildlife conflict was a concern in the northern part of the country mostly occurring outside protected areas, adding that increased wildlife and human population led to conflict between the two competing for land.

Mr Tshekedi further said the decision to re-align an electrified disease control fence adjacent the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park was to address the long standing issues of problem animals, livestock encroachment and livestock disease control.

He said the objective was to address human wildlife conflict by preventing wild animals from intruding into communal land and to prevent livestock from entering into national parks.

Wild animals, he said,  destroyed crops and preyed on livestock as well as posing danger to human life as there were high numbers of incidents in Boteti Sub-district caused by wild animals.

Mr Tshekedi said there were no plans to relocate communities adjacent to the fence, as they would benefit from utilising the river traditionally and for fishing, adding that there would be gates along the fence positioned at strategic points which would be used by communities to have access to the river.

The minister also added that water would be reticulated for livestock in Boteti. ENDS