30 Jul 2018

Government is determined to ensure sustainable utilisation of natural resources, Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane has said.

Speaking at the International wetlands camp held at Lake Xau in Kedia, on July 27, Mr Tsogwane stated that efforts had been made to support communities through various programmes such as the Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) and National Environment Fund.

Mr Tsogwane said it was admirable to see youth groups taking up initiatives of sustainable utilisation of Makgadikgadi ecosystem for livelihoods improvement.

The initiative, he said would contribute to one of government priorities of poverty eradication and employment creation.

The aim of the camp, he noted, was to provide a platform for the youth and other participants to share ideas, skills and knowledge.

He said the initiative resonated well with the objectives of Ramsar Convention to which Botswana became a party in 1977.

Mr Tsogwane noted that in line with these, the Ramsar contracting parties or member states, had committed themselves to implementing the three pillars of the convention which were to designate suitable wetlands for the list of wetlands of international importance and ensure effective management.

He said Botswana chose the Okavango Delta to be accorded such status and a management plan was designed to protect and promote wise use of resources of wetland.

Ramsar member states, he said, were committed to wise use of all wetlands through national land use planning, appropriate policies and legislation, management actions and public education.

He said they also committed to cooperate internationally concerning trans-boundary wetlands, shared wetland systems, shared species and development projects that may affect wetlands.

Mr Tsogwane stated that for the said pillars to be realised there was need for intensive public awareness on the value of wetlands and the need to protect them.

In the Makgadikgadi area which encompassed Lake Xau, Botswana had developed Makgadikgadi Framework Management Plan(MFMP), an ecosystem management plan which aims at conservation and suitable utilisation of natural resources in the for the improvement of the people’s livelihoods, the Vice President said.

The day was celebrated under the theme, Action towards conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

Giving the objectives of the day Mr Kefilwe Boikhutso said the aim was to promote conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and to train youth on conservation of nature.

Mr Boikhutso said the objective was to explore business opportunities and economic activities in the wetlands. ENDS