10 Jun 2021

Environmental conservation should be a responsibility of everyone, not government alone.

This has been said by acting deputy director in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism at the commemoration of the Ngamiland District World Environment day in Chukumuchu recently.

Mr Thulaganyo Busang said there was need for every person to save the environment from the loss of species and avoid destruction of the ecosystem for the benefit of the future generation.

He said in the past, even today, both animals and human beings benefited immensely from natural resources, hence the ministry preached ecosystem restoration.

“Our elders will tell you that in the past, you would not have to travel a kilometre to fetch fire wood, wild fruits were gathered in our backyards and people lived in places with palatable grass for livestock.

Wildlife was everywhere and we could easily plant and harvest because of good rains and fertile soils. 

Unfortunately, this is all gone,” he said.

Mr Busang further noted that the ecosystem could no longer sustain itself, primarily due to pollution and human activities.

He said people were responsible for disruption of the functions of the ecosystem, adding that activities that drove degradation and ecosystem interference included felling mature and endangered Mukusi and Mukwa trees, causing frequent veld fires, illegal extraction of earth materials, poaching, littering and urbanisation.

Fortunately for Botswana, Mr Busang said the government had set itself Vision 2036, whose pillar three promotes sustainable environment.

“It is through this pillar that we strive for ecosystem functions and services, among others. 

We desire a Botswana that has a healthy ecosystem that supports the economy, livelihoods and our cultural heritage as well as enhance resilience to climate change,” he said.

To further ensure citizen participation in the restoration of the ecosystem, he said the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, through various departments, had cascaded Vision 2036.

He said at the Department of Environmental Affairs, there was the National Environmental Fund, a grant that helped communities to access funding for the maintenance of the environment and improve livelihoods from natural resource utilisation.

Kgosi Moruti Sennye of Chukumuchu commended the ministry for having chosen his village as the host of the Ngamiland World Environment Day commemoration.

He said remote communities seldom had such activities, while it was through such celebrations that worldwide awareness on environmental protection and natural resources conservation was raised. Ends