07 Mar 2023

There are currently 11 community trusts in the North West region with success stories, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Ms Philda Kereng has said.

Ms Kereng said among the success stories was the electrification and water provision to Sankoyo village by the Sankoyo Tshwaragano Management Trust.

The minister was responding to a question in Parliament on Monday.

She said other successful projects included the construction of bridges to facilitate movement within settlements by the Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust as well as the household allowance and scholarship sponsor for deserving students to facilitate movement within settlements facilitated by Mababe Zokatshama Community Development Trust.

“The Okavango Conservation Trust operates a mortuary and general dealers.

At present, the trust is developing a 22-bed lodge in Seronga which will ensure they play an active role in the tourism industry,” Ms Kereng said.

The minister explained that community based trusts started operating in the northern part of the country in 1989 as a pilot support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with an aim to allow communities to benefit from resources found within their localities.

“Some communities in the North West region have been allocated concession areas which they have leased to tour operators and the proceeds are used for development of their respective villages,” she added.

She said some benefits realised since the inception of the Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) included amongst others, income generation, employment creation of local communities of which, as a result, livelihoods had improved.

In addition, Ms Kereng said government, through Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO), provided business guidance and facilitated projects to realise their full potential.

Member of Parliament for Ngami, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama had asked about Community Based Trusts in North West Region, when they started operating in Botswana as well as their success stories. ENDS