24 Sep 2013

As part of the evaluation process for Okavango Delta World Heritage Nomination project, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will send two experts for a field visit to the delta staring from October 13-20.

The field visit would include meeting with the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, high level government officials in Gaborone, district leadership and stakeholders in Ngamiland. The experts will also visit part of Moremi Game Reserve, Sankoyo, Mababe, Khwai, Shakawe, part of the Pan handle and the settlement of Jao.

This was revealed by the council chairman, Mr Lathang Molonda when briefing councillors about Okavango Delta World Heritage Nomination project during a full council meeting. The listing was on progress and the dossier was forwarded to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). IUCN is the advisory body to the World Heritage Committee which evaluated Natural World Heritage sites

Mr Molonda noted that the visit would also be extended to the Okavango Research Institute and would also include a courtesy call to the Permanent Okavango River Basin Secretariat (OKACOM). He said as inhabitants of the area, the community of Ngamiland would also be consulted.

He said the evaluation process would be finished this year December and the draft recommendation will be submitted to the World Heritage Centre in March 2014 which will in turn notify the government of Botswana on the draft recommendation. This will give the State Party time to reflect on the recommendation and make a decision on the next step before it is discussed during the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee to be held from 15th -25th June 2014 in Doha, Qatar.

Mr Molonda noted that the government is expected to send a delegation to the World Heritage Session. It will be after this session that the government will know if the Okavango delta has been inscribed as a World Heritage Site. The house was also informed that the implementation of the Tsodilo Community Initiative Project as per the Tsodilo Integrated Management Plan, 2007 is on-going.

They learnt that the first campsite and craft centre is complete and handed over to the community of Tsodilo. Mr Molonda noted that plans are underway to implement some of the tourism developments planned for the management plan and that would be achieved in collaboration with Botswana Tourism Organization, Tawana Land board and Tsodilo Management Authority.

Recently, the principal curator from department of National Museum & Monuments, Ms Gertrude Matswiri informed media houses that Tsodilo Community Initiative Project was a result of new partnerships. She said the Tsodilo Community Initiative Project was sponsored by the Diamond Trust to the tune of P10 million.

She noted that project has improved livelihoods of the local people through provision of water for people, with two boreholes drilled and standpipes provided in the village. Another opportunity brought by the project was improvement of educational qualifications through BOCODOL&OSET. ENDS