31 May 2021

The abundant wildlife and wilderness resources in the Chobe District should benefit the community, says Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Ms Philda Kereng.

Addressing a full council meeting recently, she urged councillors in partnership with community forums such as Village Development Committees (VDC) to come up with ideas on how the resources could bring opportunities and be part of government’s transformational agenda.

“Government is committed to transform the economy from upper middle income to a high income status characterized by high levels of productivity, competitiveness, decent jobs, wealth creation and a knowledge based economy,” she explained.

Ms Kereng said Parliament had approved the Revised Tourism Policy in recognition of the sector’s  tourism importance to the economy especially in terms of employment and contribution to GDP.

The ultimate objective of the policy, she said, was development of tourism in harmony with the environment with large numbers of Batswana participating and benefitting from it.

Minister Kereng said  the policy recognised that the occurrence of tourism  at district level necessitated direct involvement of local authorities.   

Hence their empowerment to plan and implement tourism programmes in alignment with national priorities, she said.

She said the negative impacts of wildlife on communities had also been realised with self-sustenance activities such as livestock rearing and crop production continuously destroyed or disrupted by wild animals.

She revealed that during the last financial year, 384 cases of problem animals were reported with payments to farmers totaling P997 186.10.

Ms Kereng said unlike in previous financial years, by the end of 2020/21 financial year, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks had cleared the compensation backlog.

She noted that human lives were also lost with 19 people killed by wild animals during the last two financial years.

 The ministry regretted loss of lives and was motivated to double efforts to reduce negative impacts of wildlife in the country, she stated.

During comments and question time, council chairperson,  Mr  Amos Mabuku said the ministry should work together with that of Agricultural Development and Food Security in order to serve communities better. 

He also suggested  compensation for people incapacitated by wild animals adding that there were currently two cases of people who were seriously injured by buffaloes in Kazungula.

Councillor Boitumelo Kanyetu called on the ministry to consider culling animals especially buffaloes which roamed  built-up areas.

 Warthogs, which had increased in numbers, should be relocated to the park, he said.

He complained about the bad state of roads in the Chobe National Park.

Councillor Kanyetu said as a way of curbing veld fires, communities should be permitted to harvest wood in the park as leaving it lying around helped fuel fires.

Another councillor, Mr Simasiku Matengu suggested that compensation for livestock should be at market rate.

He said while termination of employment was not allowed during the state of emergency, some tourism industry employees  were instructed to stay home without pay which amounted to being laid off.

Councillor Caster Mpebe suggested the building of a dam in Pandamatenga to harvest water passing through the area saying the move would address flooding of Zoroga and Gweta areas during the rainy season.

 In response Minister Kereng said compensation guidelines were currently being reviewed  inclusive of the amount and  animals to be covered.

  She promised to take up other issues with relevant stakeholders. ends