28 Aug 2019

Natural resources officer at  Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), Mr Oganeditse Ranko has said declining natural resources calls for communities in Mahalapye sub-district to harvest them with due diligence.

Addressing a sub-council session in Mahalapye on August 27, he appealed to councilors to encourage communities to exercise care and preserve natural resources.

 He said communities must play a watchdog role and guard against unauthorized activities which can harm the environment.  

Mr Ranko also stressed importance of undertaking Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before undertaking any activity likely to impact negatively on the environment, and that there was need to consult all stakeholders likely to be affected by proposed development.

He said an EIA determines the effects of the planned activity and assist in determining measures to address effects likely to follow. 

He noted that there was resistance in undertaking EIA as it was perceived to be costly as well as delaying development.

Mr Ranko observed that illegal sand mining remains one of the greatest challenges to environment and appealed to councilors and the communities in the sub district to monitor the use of natural resources.

DEA coordinator in Central District, Ms Tuelo Nkwane informed the sub-council session that the environment was a gift from God and a man was created to manage its use. 

She said the man was now at a dilemma as there was a conflict between managing the environment and paving way for the proposed development. 

“As DEA we exist to strike a balance between the use of natural resources and the development agenda,” she said.

Ms Nkwane observed that the central district was blessed with mineral deposits and therefore had a potential of explorations with the likelihood of disturbing the environment, and said such activities despite adding value to livelihoods and the economy, were potential enemies of the environment.

She therefore advised on the need for a thorough assessment to minimize negative impacts on the environment, noting that DEA oversees all sectors dealing with the environment.

“We exist to handle possible conflicts likely to exist relating to land use activities. We are mandated to coordinate and conserve the use of the environment as well protection of natural resources,” she said.  

Ms Nkwane said DEA was guided by policies to ensure  equitable use of natural resources for the benefit of all living organisms.

She also informed the sub-council session that the department was mandated with administering the National Environment Fund.

Ms Nkwane said communities in Mahalapye were yet to benefit from the fund. 

She added that the fund financed community projects that were aimed at conserving natural resources and the environment.

Commenting on DEA presentation, Cllr for Taupye/Shakwe/Makwate ward in Mahalapye East constituency, Mr Baemedi Kudumane commended the department for responding on time to community reports on issues relating to environmental degradation.  

Cllr Samson Kelebale of Parwe ward in Mahalapye west constituency noted that illegal sand miners were often at loggerheads with farmers as their unauthorized activities did not only deplete the river valleys but also impacted on the farmers dependent on the rivers to water their livestock. 

He was also concerned by lack of monitoring of the sand miners to lessen the negative impact on the environment.

Cllr Banthasetse Merementsi of Otse/Kodibeleng/Ikongwe ward in the Shoshong constituency had asked if the fund was available to fund projects such as pit latrines as they were also aimed at protecting the environment. 

“I wonder if community committees such as VDC were liable to apply for such a fund?” he asked.

He also noted that the exploration of methane gas was ongoing in the Shoshong area and concerned that such activities had the potential to pollute underground potable water reserves as it had been observed that methane gas deposits impurities were likely to pollute underground waters.

Responding to concerns raised by Councillors, Ms Nkwane said the department was experiencing shortage of personnel.

However she added that efforts were being made to increase workers in the district as it was stressed by the recent opening of the Selebi Phikwe office.

She added that sand mining was monitored by the department of mines, and as an environmental watchdog, she indicated that DEA was concerned by damage to the environment and other natural resources inflicted by illegal human activities. Ends