01 Dec 2013

Government should be commended for its commitment to conserving and preserving forests and environment as they are critical to the future generations, resident director De Beers Holdings-Botswana, Mr Neo Moroka has said.

Mr Moroka said government’s commitment was supported by existing legislations, national conservation strategy as well as being part of international conservation organisations.

Speaking during the national tree planting day at Khawa on November 30, he said the event was a clear testimony of government’s efforts to environment conservation. He therefore challenged participants at the event to plant more trees and care for the environment in an endeavour to conserve it for future generations.

With observation that Khawa had strong winds and soils that were easily blown away by the winds, Mr Moroka revealed that government had interventions in place to stabilise the dunes. The dune stabilisation was reported to have cost ORASECOM about P136 000. 

ORASECOM is working with the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism and Khawa Development trust in effecting the dune stabilisation intervention. The process was tried in Bokspits area as the region had similar geographical landscape as that of Khawa.

Mr Moroka, former employee of Department of Wildlife and National Parks, commended Department of Forestry and Range Resources for engaging strategic partners and or stakeholders for participatory resource management.

Meanwhile, Mr Moroka said that Motopi or Shepherd tree, a tree of the day, was drought resistant and the claim was backed up by it being evergreen all year round.

These characteristics, according to Mr Moroka make the tree an important component of the forests as both animals and humans depend on it for survival. He said the roots of the tree could be crashed and or stamped and used as food especially when mixed with milk. 

The tree can also be used by humans for herbal purposes. Ends