29 Jul 2013

Parliament has been informed that the level of scientific research in the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism was informed by different strategic plans, guided by the framework of goals contained in the current National Development Plan.

Responding to a question in Parliament on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said the ministry did not have any specific amount set aside for research for the financial year 2013/14.

Ms Tshireletso however noted that limited research activities were supported through various provisions of the recurrent budget of relevant departments.

She also said the ministry used a variety of sources for additional funding that included domestic funds like the Conservation Trust Fund and through regional initiatives such as Southern Africa Regional Environmental Programme and Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management.

The ministry, she said, also administered the independent research programme which enables universities and research institutions, local and abroad to conduct research that addresses the management questions while they pursue their academic goal of attaining higher degrees and of publishing.

Such independent researchers, she said, were fully funded by their institutions.

Kanye South Member of Parliament, Mr Abram Kesupile had wanted the minister to state the level of scientific research activities being undertaken by his ministry, the amount set aside for research for 2013/14 financial year and the sources for additional funding available to the ministry.  ENDS