11 Jun 2023

Government appreciates collaborations such as Habu village Human Co-existence Project, which resonates with government’s strategy of One Health.

The project, supported by various organisations, aims to promote a balance between wildlife, farming and tourism while improving livelihoods.

Speaking at the Habu field day on June 7, Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe said One Health Strategy acknowledged a connection between the environment and people, thus rendering Habu Co-Existence Project a commendable model, which improved the lives of communities.

“If not addressed, human/ wildlife conflict will have a negative impact on food production and affect human health,” said Mr Lelatisitswe.

European ambassador to Botswana and SADC, Ms Petra Pereyra stated that Botswana had a rich environment that could help diversify the economy from diamonds. 

The relationship with Botswana, she said, dated back to the 1980s with a purpose to help the country fight poverty and inequality among others.

She said Habu project was an exemplary model, which could be used to diversify the economy and create jobs.

She, therefore, pledged the European Embassy support.

Habu Community Co-existence Project coordinator, Dr Ben Hemans from Wild Entrust organisation explained that the project aimed to promote a balance between wildlife and farming.

Dr Hemans said through the project, Habu community would realise reduced human/wildlife conflict while equally benefiting from wildlife, farming and reduced poaching.

“We have the herding for health programme, which we operate with the community scouts who were trained for holistic management, learnt rangeland management and wildlife monitoring,” he said.

The co-exixtence project has divided Habu village into livestock and wildlife areas. 

However, Habu Development Trust representative, Mr Kambombonjo reckoned the community still needed extra boreholes for livestock for the co-existence plan to be effective.

Habu community conservancy is part of the Sustainable Wildlife Management implemented by Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and Pro Nature Enterprises project for Southern Africa funded by the French Development Agency. Ends