04 Dec 2013

The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has neither applied for land nor intended to apply for land within the Trans Frontier National Park.


Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi told Parliament that BDF had applied for a training area at Khawa, which waswell outside the park.


He said there was no likely impact on the wildlife habitat in the park since BDF had not applied for any land within the Trans Frontier Park.
 He said the BDF had and continued to consult extensively in any area where it intends to apply for land.


Mr Masisi further noted that “It is this consultation that guards against any possible violations of the Wildlife Policy Provisions.”


He was responding to questions asked by Kgatleng West MP Mr Gilbert Mangole, who had asked the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security if it was true that the BDF had applied and intended to be allocated land within the Trans frontier Park for purposes of setting up a military base and if so to state the rationale for such a move.


He also wanted the minister to state the likely impact of this move on the wildlife habitat in the park and possible violations of the Wildlife Policy provisions by the move. ENDS