11 Feb 2014

Scientists and researchers have been urged to submit findings to guide government on decision making and policy direction.

Permanent secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Mr Neil Fitt said at the Wildlife Research Institute symposium that wildlife management is a complex undertaking, which requires a major research effort to enable government to come up with appropriate policies.

“The results from such researches are essential to guide us as we implement various strategies like promoting non-consumptive use of wildlife resources and providing artificial watering points for wildlife within and outside protected areas.

They also guide in translocating carnivores implicated in livestock depredation instead of shooting them as problem animals,” he said.

Mr Fitt said all that would promote growth of wildlife populations and act as a testimony to the ministry’s commitment towards effective stakeholder engagement and informed decision making on issues pertaining to sustainable natural resources management in Botswana.

He said a number of wildlife species are declining in the Okavango Delta and stressed the importance of working together as concerned stakeholders to understand the causes of such declines and monitor the success of any remedial put in place to address such decline during the forum.

The PS said scientific research over the years has yielded essential information and knowledge for tackling many wildlife management challenges, including human-wildlife conflict, biological invasions, wild fires and water development for wildlife.

Mr Fitt acknowledged the participation of agencies like Southern Africa Regional Environmental Programme (SAREP), Elephants Without Borders, Wildlife Conservation Society (AHEAD Programme), Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development; and Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area. ENDS