27 Apr 2021

Compensation policy review is said to have been completed and awaiting cabinet approval.

This was revealed by the Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Ms Phildah Kereng during a consultative meeting with the village leadership in Sepako on Monday.

Ms Kereng explained that the review followed numerous public complaints regarding compensation amounts, which were deemed too low and not commensurate with the damages done at the same time excluding many destructive dangerous wild animals.

The review was not limited to compensation but included the addition of other predators, she said. 

She said it would be implemented once approved by cabinet.

Minister Kereng stated that increasing human-wildlife conflict reports received by the ministry from the area necessitated the taking of immediate action on the matter.

 The meeting heard that in an effort to address human/wildlife conflict, government had drilled six boreholes outside the village for watering wildlife.

Furthermore, Minister Kereng said through the human/wildlife management plan, government was creating opportunities for Batswana to be more active in tourism.

Citing concessions, she said through them communities could make returns and end up improving the socio-economic landscape of their areas.

Nata Conservation Trust, comprising Nata, Manxotae, Maposa and Sepako, had been given CT5 concession, she said.

Ms Kereng said processing of the lease was currently on hold but assured her audience that the ministry would liaise with the lands department to ensure its finalisation. 

She also said the ministry was aware of public concerns regarding response time by wildlife officers explaining that many challenges, such as insufficient transport, contributed to delays.

However, she said the ministry was working tirelessly to address the situation. Ends