23 May 2022

Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT) has undertaken an initiative to teach communities about the importance of prudent use of natural resources.

The focus is not only on communities whom the trust regularly engages with, but the teachings extend to tourists who visit the NG32 concession for lodging, game drives as well as boat and mokoro cruises.

OKMCT chief expert guide, Mr Monopane Namanga told BOPA that the trust conducted educational talks for communities in Ditshiping, Boro, Daunara, Morutsha, Xharaxau and Xhaxhaba settlements who constituted OKMCT.

The trust engaged on issues as human wildlife conflict and their responsibility as the custodians of the NG32 concession.

Mr Namanga said the trust’s mandate was not only to generate income for the communities but to ensure that wildlife and the environment were protected and preserved, which required taking communities on board so that they understood and appreciated that the trusts’ mandate of protecting natural resources for their benefit.

He said movement and activities within the concession was monitored and individuals registered at the three entrances into NG32 being Xharaxhao, Morutsha and Daunara.

Doing so, he said assisted in data collection for reports that were compiled for the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, the Technical Advisory Committee for trusts.

Mr Namanga said OKMCT worked closely with Machaba Safaris, a lessee of NG32, by assisting in monitoring activities in the concession.

He appreciated communities whom he said had been helpful in keeping an eye on the activities within NG32 and reporting any suspicious behaviour to help eradicate poaching.

He said they had deployed escort guides at Daunara and Ditshiping where mokoro rides and motor boats were popular . He however, worried about state of the veterinary fence that had been vandalised by wild animals.

Efforts are underway to acquire horses that would be used to monitor animal movement and ensure wildlife does not mix with domestic animals, Mr Namanga said. Ends