07 May 2019

Preparations for the seventh National Fire Management Conference (NFMC) billed for Maun from May 14 to 16  are reported to be at an advanced stage.

The conference is organised by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism through the Department of Forestry and Range Resources (DFFR).

MP for Maun East Mr Konstantinos Markus, who is also the assistant minister of Agriculture Development and Food Security is expected to officiate at the event. 

The conference would attract senior officials including the commissioner of Australia’s New South Wales Rural Fire Services and stakeholders in fire management and the district leadership.

Updating the local organising committee during a preparatory meeting, the chairperson, Mr Peter Olekantse stated that preparations were on track, noting that the conference was expected to attract 200 participants of which 120 would be the locals.

He said the sub committees were working around the clock to ensure the international event becomes a success. 

Mr Olekantse stated that the decision to hold the conference in Maun was deliberate and appropriate since there were some areas in the North West District, such as Tsodilo Hills, which were prone to bush fires.

He said the objective of the conference was to share ideas on how best experts and different participants could manage bush fires.

The fires, he said, destroyed vegetation and wildlife, which eventually affected the beauty of tourism.  

He said they had invited 12 people from Okavango Wetlands Management Committee, which was taking care of the World Heritage Wet areas as well as some representatives from Tsodilo Development Trust Enclave who would have an opportunity to present on the role of the community in fire management.

Mr Olekantse also stated that there would be an excursion to NG49, situated at Phuduhudu village, noting that the village trust had received over P1 million to do fire strategy and they would also have something to share with participants.

In addition, he said the Australians had expressed interest to demonstrate something at the area.

According to a press statement from the ministry, fire management in Botswana revolves around the preparedness and response to wildland fires. 

This is an attempt to eliminate the element of surprise during fire outbreaks, hence fire management conferences. 

The release says such conferences are platforms intended for sharing of information on better development and implementation of fire management strategies.

It says in the 2008 fire season, most parts of Botswana were ravaged by fires with devastating results such as loss of lives, property, rangelands and range resources. It further states that was a wakeup call for the government to change approach in fire management. 

Following 2008 season, Botswana solicited assistance from international partners, as a result a partnership ensued between Botswana and Australian government, it says.

The press statement says  collaboration is aimed at development of effective strategies for fire management, which amongst others facilitated the development of fire contingency plans that act as guiding instruments to management of wild land fires, deployment of seasonal fire teams to fire prone areas as a rapid response measure to fire outbreaks, maintenance of fire breaks to deter traversing of fires across landscapes and engagement of different stakeholders. ENDS