07 Jun 2021

Botswana has embarked on the development of specific ecosystem management plans, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conversation and Tourism Ms Philda Kereng has said.

Speaking in Gaborone Friday during commemoration of World Environment Day, Minister Kereng said the plans included Okavango, Makgadikgadi framework management and Kgalagadi, Ghanzi dryland ecosystem. 

She said Botswana’s ecosystems had over the years either been degraded or destroyed.

Factors such as unsustainable agricultural practices and veld fires interfered with the environment, she said.

Minister Kereng said government was committed to restoring the ecosystems as demonstrated by ratification as well as implementation of several multilateral environmental agreements.

She said the agreements  included UN framework on climate change and the RAMSAR convention on wetlands of international importance. 

For her part, UNDP deputy resident representative, Ms Margunn Indeboe said the organisation’s programmes had played a major role in the management of wildland fires in north western Botswana, especially in Tsodilo. 

She said between 2014 and 2019, UNDP provided P330 000 for procurement of fire fighting equipment and development of  a Tsodilo management fire strategy. 

Ms Indeboe also said the global environment facility small grants programme had supported 192 projects since its establishment in 1992. 

Established by the UN General Assembly in 1972, World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5. ends