08 Sep 2013

The South East District has reinvented its Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to oversee implementation of the Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) policy in the region.

This was revealed on September 5 at a workshop on the implementation of the CBNRM in the country. “The CBNRM is challenged with inadequate awareness at community level which is why we saw it fit to come up with such a committee as the TAC,” said Kalahari Conservations Society chief executive officer, Mr Felix Monngae.

Mr Monngae said the TAC was formed after realising the need for dedicated staff to deal with CBNRM issues. However, Malete Land Board deputy board secretary, Mr Phillip Makhura said as the district, they had decided to revive the TAC after realising that some areas in the district had the potential for community trust projects.

“As District Land Use Planning Unit (DLUPU) members, we play an important role in the development of the district,” Mr Makhura said. Thus, he said DLUPU would be held accountable should it be established that the district was not developing.

He said TAC was a district advisory body coordinated and facilitated by the Department Of Wildlife and National Parks. Furthermore, he explained that the CBNRM was both a conservative and rural development strategy involving community mobilisation.

One participant, Mr Bakang Mokime from DWNP said TAC will advise communities and the district authorities on proposals that involved the commercial and utilisation of community managed natural resources at the district level.

Further, he added that TAC will also be tasked with monitoring implementation of community projects.

That, he said will ensure that government policies and legislation were adhered to with regard to proper management and utilisation natural resources. Ends