14 Oct 2018

 Some residents of Ngamiland say over trading in the Okavango Delta has contributed to migration of wildlife into community areas.

They said many airstrips and a lot of movement of small planes in the delta were some of the factors, which resulted in migration of animals because they were disturbed by the noise.

They aired their views during a consultative meeting addressed by the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia, who is a member of a cabinet sub-committee on review of the hunting ban.

The meeting was aimed at soliciting ideas, advice and suggestions on the hunting ban.

Batawana urged the government to consider reducing the number of camps in the delta to create space for the animals, noting that the camps could be relocated along the buffalo fence.

They also called for re-instatement of hunting, notably of animals whose numbers had increased significantly.

They said animals such as elephants, buffaloes and lions could be considered for hunting to reduce their population.

Residents said they were not benefiting from government initiatives aimed at uplifting their living standards because of wildlife and called on the government to lift the hunting ban for their benefit.

Though appreciating the importance of tourism in the country’s economy, the residents said the government should take into consideration that they were living in areas with significant wildlife population. 

Ms Gasefele Mochabe said hunting of elephants would be ideal because farmers would be able to produce better yields. 

She said wildlife had impoverished them and wished the government could take their concerns into consideration.

Kgosi Kegaisamang Ramokwena of Boseja ward in Maun said if the hunting was re-instated, it should be managed properly to ensure the number of species did not decline drastically. 

He said wildlife was a precious gift from God, hence they should be cared for and used in a sustainable manner.

Mababe resident, Mr Pulelo Tebalo said they had long wanted the hunting ban to be lifted, since the community relied on it for a living. 

He said at Mababe, they could not practice agriculture because they were situated in wildlife management areas, hence the need to re-instate hunting for the benefit of the communities.

Mr Moaparankwe Mpho of Maun also decried that investors had invaded the delta and wished the camps could be reduced to pave way for wildlife to live freely.

Earlier on, Mr Ralotsia had informed residents that government had realised that some species’ population had increased, citing the elephants hence a decision to embark on consultative meetings.

He said hunting was one way of reducing the large population of species but assured them that their suggestions would be looked into at the end of the consultations and an informed decision made. ENDS