15 Oct 2018

A member of Batawana Advisory Committee, Mr Keith Diako says it is important for researchers in the Okavango Delta to collaborate with Okavango Research Institute (ORI).

The institute is mandated to carry research on the delta, and Mr Diako said by linking with the institute, researchers would products of high professional standards.

He made the comments during a consultative meeting on the review of the hunting ban addressed by Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia.

He said it was disturbing as some researchers put their interests first neglecting the interests of communities.

He said the institute carried research that benefitted communities in their vicinity, adding that the research that informed the hunting ban was not scientific and that it was influenced by some people who wanted to serve their interests.

Mr Diako also requested that researchers should pay a courtesy call on the tribal authority before they could commence their work. 

Kgosi Rabosigo Rabosigo concurred with him and advised government to include some representatives from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and Elephant Without Borders in the sub-committees which conducted consultative meetings.

CITES is an international treaty to prevent species from becoming endangered or extinct because of international trade while Elephants Without Borders is a charitable organisation dedicated to conserving wildlife and natural resources through innovative research, education, and information sharing with all people.

Kgosi Rabosigo said their presence in the committee could help in making decisions for the betterment of communities.

Minister Ralotsia acknowledged that research was vital in assisting government to make informed decisions.

He also revealed that government was working jointly with other organisations such as CITES and Elephant Without Borders, adding that President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s recent visit in London was evident to that.

“We cannot ignore organisations such as CITES because we value their advise and help,” he added. ENDS