12 Jun 2018

Senior wildlife warden at the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), Mr Odirile Kgotla has urged residents of Shashe Bridge and Tati Siding to utilise Conservation Trust Fund (CTF).

Mr Kgotla explained during a kgotla meeting recently that government through DWNP had a programme called Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) meant to empower community projects through the CTF.

He said the intention was to extend a funding to communities to come up with initiatives that preserved natural resources.

Mr Kgotla urged residents to utilise the funding, explaining that funding had been extended to elephant range places so that they could conserve natural resources while making a living from them.

The funding under the initiative can be sourced from the CTF through Village Development Committees (VDCs) or community trusts, he said.

Mr Kgotla said CBNRM had proved to be highly profitable as shown by other communities who had taken the opportunity such as Tshwaragano Sankoyo Development Trust, which was doing well.

He said now they own and operate a five star lodge and had managed to create employment for their community, stating that recently they started photography services.

Furthermore, he urged residents to form community trusts, then identify any form of business in the tourism fold, which they could pursue and apply funding for in the form of a grant.

He also said it was a good opportunity for them since they live within the foot of Shashe Dam, which had recently been identified as a tourism attraction area.

Mr Kgotla assured them that there were many business ideas to pursue such as fisheries, hospitality and accommodation and others, adding that there should be a heritage site in the area that they could use to attract tourists.

The VDC chairperson of Shashe Bridge, Mr Paul Kgaje appealed to DNWP to consider holding educational workshop in their villages.

He said there was more work to do, especially on educating residents about initiatives provided by the department and was of the opinion that some residents wish to pursue businesses in the area relating to wild animals and other natural resources but lack information on where to start.

Mr Kgaje said they were not even aware of such arrangements but advised the department to consider taking education to residents.

He said some had applied for fishing licenses since they live within the vicinity of the dam hence the need for the department to consider bringing testimonials during the suggested workshops, which would help those aspiring to explore the business to be motivated. ENDS