19 Nov 2019

The President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said the pressure of demand for natural resources as inputs for developmental initiatives was stretching ecosystems beyond their regenerative abilities.

Delivering the State-of-the -Nation Address on Monday, he said, the resources required appropriate management measures to be implemented.

He said government in its efforts to sustainably manage forest resources for socio-economic and environmental benefits had undertaken various conservation initiatives, which included protection, restoration, rehabilitation, maintenance, sustainable utilizations and enhancement of the natural state.

He said forest range resources continued to play a significant role in rural livelihoods and poverty reduction, adding that during the current financial year the sector had created 9 512 jobs and accrued revenue amounting to at least P2 million.

Government, he said continued to drive alternative poverty eradication packages, like backyard tree nurseries, landscaping, phane harvesting, grass harvesting, and manufacturing of fire beaters, all which were implemented by communities in the rural areas.

Regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation, Dr Masisi said the climate change policy had been developed, and would be tabled in the next Parliament for debate.

He said other policy instrument and strategies intended to support the implementation of the policy were currently undergoing development or review.

These, he said included the National Energy Policy, the National Agricultural Policy, the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and the National Transport Policy.

In addition, President Masisi said national designated authority and energy regulatory authority had been established, while a national adaptation framework was being developed to guide the country in coordinating and implementing approaches for adaptation planning.

The Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) programmes, he said was being implemented with a specific focus to increase resilient production system and improve livelihood amidst climate changes.

He said considering the global success of the Montreal Protocol on substance that deplete the Ozone Layer, there was an agreement by countries to reduce Hydroflorocarbons(HFCs)which he said were friendly to the Ozone layer but still had a global warming potential as agreed under the Kigali Agreement.

Botswana, he said would be ratifying the Amendment to ensure that the country benefited from available support mechanisms.

Concerning the safe and secure use of nuclear technology, President Masisi said the strengthening of public safety and security in the country, Botswana had developed and Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plan (INSSP) to ensure security of radioactive sources.

The plan, he said was reviewed in March this year, with the facilitation by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

He said the amendment of the current law to incorporate issues of nuclear security was in progress, adding that other activities such as authorisations,inspections and enforcemnts were undertaken to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and to provide assurance to the general public safer and security of sources was maintained.

President Masisi, said government continued to sustain the implementation of environmental monitoring strategies aimed at managing public exposure to radiation material.

“To ensure that the public radiation workers and the environment were protected from adverse effects of radiation exposure, government established a fully functional dosimetry and environmental laboratories,” he said. Several environmental monitoring sites, he said, had also been established countrywide and were indicating normal exposure levels. Furthermore, he said collection and analysis of environmental samples and foodstuffs in Serule and Gojwane areas, were ongoing in preparation for the envisioned uranium mining and milling in the area. Ends