26 Feb 2018

An official from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and also Ngamiland Sustainable Land Management (SLM) project, Mr Innocent Magole has advised the community of Maun to preserve and sustainably use urban wetlands to benefit them more.

Speaking at the Ngamiland World Wetlands Day on February 22 in Maun, Mr Magole said wetlands were viewed as wasteland available for dumping waste or converted for other purposes.
“Wetlands are prizeland not wasteland, therefore should be integrated into the development and management plans of cities,” he said.

Mr Magole said urban wetlands were essential in the sense that during storms they absorb excess rainfall to reduce flooding and help prevent disasters and their subsequent costs.

He said the abundant vegetation found in urban wetlands act as a filter for domestic and industrial waste, which contributes to improved water quality.

Furthermore, he said today’s human settlements development was a major concern for wetland conservation as they encroach on wetlands since when cities and towns grow the demand for land increases.

He further encouraged towns to adopt policies and actions to assist in conserving wetlands.

Department of Environmental Affairs principal natural resources officer, Ms Tsosoloso Matlale said the objective of the day was to recognise and remember wetlands found in the region.

Ms Matlale implored residents to each make it a norm and an individual responsibility to safeguard wetlands since they were essential in promoting human wellbeing.

She said there was need for residents to know the importance of wetlands and change the way they think and perceive wetlands to benefit better from them economically, socially and culturally.

Moreover, she said if wetlands in the region were managed and preserved well, Maun would be a destination vicinity, not a getaway to other wetland areas like it is at the moment.

Kgosi Elizabeth Sekeseke of Wenela ward in Maun said she was concerned about the indefference of people towards dirt more so that people indescriminately throw litter anywhere even in the river. Ends