16 Jun 2020

A Maun-based company Elephant Destination has been advised to rehabilitate the damaged land along the Thamalakane River.

The company which owns an integrated farm some few metres away from the river at Disana ward had excavated a channel and a pond along the river to harvest rain water.

The owner has planted ornamental and fruit trees both indigenous and exotic such as granadilla, guava, oranges, mulberries, Motsaudi and Morula among others.

The advice which came as a warning was delivered by the department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) after visiting the farm to appreciate the damage caused.

In an interview, DEA coordinator, Mr Jobe Manga confirmed that they had issued a letter to the company owner advising him to rehabilitate the land.

The company, he said had been given 14 days to complete the exercise adding that the owner could to request for extension if he felt the time frame was short.

Mr Manga explained that the farm owner had violated the law hence the warning, adding that the owner should have contacted DEA for authorisation.

He said people were encouraged to conduct Environmental Impact Assessment before any development.

He however appreciated that the owner contacted the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security which supported the initiative to harvest rain water for agricultural uses.

But, Mr Manga noted that the ministry’s support did not mean that he could excavate a pond along the river as it was classified as a sensitive area as per the act hence no activity should be undertaken without authorisation from DEA.

He also explained that acquiring surface rights at sensitive areas such as rivers and wildlife management areas did not give applicants permission to source water from the river or do any activity without involving other relevant departments.

Mr Manga appealed to residents who had been allocated land in sensitive areas to follow the right procedure before undertaking any development.

The farm owner, Mr David Hollard explained that he ventured into integrated farming a year ago to improve food security.

He said since the river was dry and Maun area was experiencing heavy rains, he decided to construct a pond and a channel on his farm to harvest rain water.

His farm, he said was located in a plain area which flooded during rainy season hence the construction of the pond to hold the water for future use.

Mr Hollard said he had a borehole which yielded salty water thus not good for his plants.

He said he was shocked to learn that he was destroying the river even though the pond was constructed on his farm which was a distance away from the river.

He however agreed to rehabilitate the area.

He admitted that he did not consult DEA before embarking on the project as he had engaged the ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security who supported his plan. ENDS