04 Jun 2026

Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) has partnered with Okavango District leadership to drive a project aimed to empower Okavango panhandle communities into active stewards of their ecosystem and generate consistent income through eco-friendly practices.

Supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at the tune of $49 0000, communities would be drilled on issues of environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

Addressing Okavango District Council (ODC) full council meeting last week, HRDC director, Dr Oabona Nthebolang said the two-year project would ensure sensitisation of rural communities on human wildlife conflict and reduction of veldt fires, as well as capacity building of resource based enterprises on business management skills and ethical management of community trusts/civil society organisations.

He emphasised the significance of the programme saying the district is heightened by cases of human-wildlife conflict, veldt fires and mismanagement of natural resources based businesses.

Therefore, expectation is to reduce human wildlife conflict by at least 25 per cent and as well as to capacitate 14 civil organisations.

When commenting, nominated councillor, Mr Osefelepelo Gaebolae appreciated the project saying addressing human wildlife conflict would help farmers and the agricultural sector which was their mainstay.

He also said community trusts capacitation was a welcome development to reduce mismanagement of resources.  For his part, Okavango District commissioner, Mr William Keareng said the district leadership partnered with HRDC realising the importance of the project.

The district, he said was prone to veldt fires and yet local communities had indigenous knowledge which could be harnessed and incorporated into mitigation strategies.

The district commissioner also highlighted that poor governance and mismanagement of funds by community trusts had led to less tangible developments despite making millions through rich natural resources entrusted to community trusts by government. ENDS