03 Oct 2017

Habu integrated development project coordinator, Mr Mokadi Masedi has encouraged the Habu community to be committed to the project to ensure its success.

Mr Masedi said the project, which aimed at integrating wildlife conservation with livestock farming through zoning to separate the two, was under the Habu Elephant Development Trust (HEDT) and offered many opportunities to the community which would assist in employment creation.

The 24-month project funded by the Food Agriculture Organisation at the tune of about P2million was still at its early stages

The HEDT, he noted, was formed in 2013 to uphold sustainable environmental management within the Habu community and to establish community owned ventures.

Mr Masedi said embracing the project by the selected participants who were  capacitated would ensure success of the project by sharing with the larger community.

Speaking at a facilitation workshop for participants in Maun recently, Mr Masedi said the project supported the success of both wildlife and farming.

The project, he said, supported the rehabilitation of the ecosystem, ground water development, community driven rezoning of Habu and wildlife tourism development.

He said communities should form farming clusters so as to make the project a success.

Mr Masedi said the zoning system would allow farms to be in one area, wild animals in another area while a wildlife area would act as a buffer zone to help achieve co-existence which was one of the main objectives.

The demarcation, he said, was possible only through the community agreement.

He encouraged participants to ensure that the community appreciated the project and its benefits.  

One participant, Mr Rebantsi Embola appreciated the Habu Integrated Development project for its uniqueness in supporting agro-tourism and urged resident to welcome the project. ENDS