23 Aug 2020

 Key stakeholders in management of Okavango Delta Ramsar Site have been urged to provide information for the updating of the Ramsar Site Information Sheet (RSIS) as per the Ramsar convention.

RSIS is a central database meant to manage the list of wetlands of international importance (the Ramsar List) in which Okavango Delta as the world heritage site was included. Each site has an information sheet to be updated after every six years.

Speaking during a breakfast meeting that attracted researchers and experts from other organisations to appreciate RSIS, Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) coordinator in Maun, Mr Jobe Manga explained that the input was critical in updating and maintaining the system.

RIS), he said, provide baseline data for the site; showed changes in the ecology of the Ramsar Site, adding that it should be updated every six years to allow analysis of Ramsar sites worldwide at any given time.

He sad DEA as the country’s national administrative authority for the Ramsar Convention was responsible for filling the RIS, and could appoint a consultant to fill the same of their behalf. 

DEA, he said, was also responsible for coordination in the domestication of the convention in Botswana, through the development and implementation of the site management plan, designation of new sites, production of periodical reports, updating of the Okavango Delta RSI sheet. 

Mr Manga told the gathering that it was important to update the status of the conservation in the delta regularly as per the Ramsar convention 

Botswana, he said, become part of the convention in 1997, following the designation of the delta in 1996, adding that it was a pity that the country had designated only one site, but had thought of Makgadikgadi pans, and a management plan has since been developed. 

Makgadikgadi is an area of 3 900km², which incorporates the western end of Ntwetwe, extensive grasslands and acacia woodland at its northern boundary, and borders Nxai Pan National Park.

Other sites proposed to designate, he said, were Letsibogo Dam, Chobe Linyanti areas and the pans in the Kgalagadi District.

Giving the background of the convention, he explained that it was an inter-governmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. 

He said the convention had 171 contracting parties and 2 394 wetlands of international importance, hence Botswana was expected to report on the status of the Ramsar Site.

Tawana Land Board deputy secretary, Mr Nicholas Motlogelwa stressed the importance of the meeting, saying the deliberations of the attendants would widen the expertise.

He stated that the importance of the Ramsar site could not be overemphasised as it was a source of survival for most of the communities in the delta area. 

Through the site, he said the communities enjoyed provision of food, water and shelter, among others.

Researchers appreciated and explored the RSIS. Some promised to submit more data before end of this month. ends