27 Feb 2014

Acting director in the Department of Forestry and Range Resources, Mr Joshua Moloi says government has taken a decision to open game reserves for eco-tourism.

Mr Moloi informed participants during a conservation workshop in Maun on February 26 that Chobe Game Reserve had been selected for eco-tourism considering the availability of resources in the area.

He said logistics regarding Chobe Game Reserve were on-going as the aim of government was to ensure proper management of the project. He said as soon as the logistics were finalised, government would engage experts to develop the management plan.

Mr Moloi said the project was viable and profitable and urged Chobe residents to prepare for the big event. He said eco-tourism was about uniting conservation, communities and sustainable travel.

“This means that those who implement and participate in eco-tourism activities should enforce the following principles; provide direct financial benefits for conservation; minimize impact and provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people,” Mr Moloi said.

On other issues, he informed participants that a thorough consultation was conducted countrywide to identify national symbols and government approved three species being Morula Tree, Motsikiri grass and Sengaparile flower as the national symbols.

Mr Moloi said the decision came after government realised that in the past years, there had been no national symbols as far as conservation of natural resources is concerned.

Mr Moloi also pointed out that the department has managed to establish fire division which will mainly focus on issues of fire and fire management. He said the division will develop some strategies and techniques to be applied during emergency fires.

He encouraged district offices to engage applicants from Tirelo Setshaba Programme to assist in the preparations of veld fires where there was need.

For their part, participants applauded the government for its move to identify national symbols noting that the three species would enhance conservation amongst the communities especially in rural areas where people benefited from them. ENDS