28 Sep 2022

 Practising proper management and care of animals is the solution to address the looming crisis at Lake Ngami. 

The lake,  which has almost dried up, has seen both livestock and wildlife stuck in the mud as they competed for the little remaining water.In an interview,  acting district agricultural coordinator, Dr Odireleng Thololwane accused farmers of exacerbating the situation by failing to practice proper animal husbandry which included regulation of water, food and environment.

He said government acted swiftly to connect two boreholes within the vicinity of the lake two years back in the wake of the 2019 devastating drought. 

“Two of our boreholes are operating and it is unfortunate as farmers are not taking the responsibility to utilise them to water their livestock hence they end trapped in the mud in search of water and consequently die,” he said.

Dr Thololwane however   said  the situation was not as bad as in 2019.It was estimated that less than 10 animals had perished compared to the over 300 animals which died in 2019, he said. 

Dr Thololwane explained that  the  Department of Animal Production made a difference by advising  farmers to prepare to avoid a repeat of the 2019 crisis.

Farmers were advised to take care of their animals by kraaling and using the right water sources, he said.

He expressed concern that some farmers were still failing to heed the advice.

This year’s hydrological floods have failed to reach the lake due to low water flows and velocity from upstream.

 In a recent speech, North West District Council chairman, Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotlho said the lake was almost dry as Khwai and upper Xudum river systems were experiencing a gradual decrease in water levels and flows.

In addition, water from the Kunyere River,  which feeds the lake,  was approximately 36km short of its destination, he said.

Mr Ntsogotlho said the water had been flowing at a velocity of about 1.07km/day but had reduced speed due to low inflows and  high  temperatures experienced since the beginning of summer.

Boronyana, Nxotego and Shashe rivers had again not flowed this year following the dry spells of 2011, 2016 and 2020.

Outflow-rivers comprising Boro, Thamalakane, Boteti and Nhabe were currently experiencing decreasing water levels and flows since August due to low inflows.  

Mr Ntsogotlho however said  drought and floods were not anticipated. ENDS