UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, WILDLIFE AND TOURISM TO LAUNCH THE LAKE NGAMI MANAGEMENT PLAN BOTSWANA – A new study concluded that without intervention the Okavango Delta RAMSAR Site is under substantial threat and will, in the near future cross a number of unacceptable thresholds absent a change in its management and protections. This has profound implications for Botswana’s economy. The Okavango Delta is the country’s top tourism destination, and travel and tourism account for almost 10% of Botswana’s GDP as well as 10% of all employment. Lake Ngami is part of the Okavango Delta RAMSAR site, and as part of a Government of Botswana – U.S. Government partnership to preserve one of Botswana’s greatest natural resources and income generators, the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, in partnership with the United States Government, will launch the “Lake Ngami Management Plan” on April 11 at 10:15am in Sehithwa. Members of the media are invited to attend. The objective of the land use plan is to promote the sustainable and efficient use of natural resources to benefit local communities while conserving the environment at this globally recognized site. The Lake Ngami Management Plan was approved by the Tawana Land Board in 2013 and will be collaboratively implemented with district stakeholders through the newly established Lake Ngami Community Trust. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment Wildlife and Tourism Mr Neil Fitt will officially launch the management plan at a special ceremony to be held at the Sehithwa Land Board along with U.S. Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires a.i. Michael Murphy. The Sehithwa Kgosi and District Commissioner will be on hand to welcome guests including representatives from the Tawana Land Board, USAID Southern Africa, Tribal Administration, Ngamiland CBNRM Forum, Birdlife Botswana, government departments, partners and stakeholders. The development of the Lake Ngami Management Plan was made possible by the American people through funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under its Southern Africa Regional Environmental Program (SAREP). SAREP works collaboratively with the Permanent Okavango River Basin Commission (OKACOM) and local authorities to improve livelihoods and protect natural resources in the Ngamiland region. Six villages have been designated as member communities in the Trust, and thus given responsibility for implementing the Lake Ngami Management Plan; these villages are Toteng, Legothwana, Bothatogo, Sehithwa, Bodibeng, and Kareng. The boundary of the proposed management area encloses the area between the main Maun to Ghanzi road and the old Ghanzi road from Toteng. The southern boundary follows the southern boundary of the Ramsar site. The development of the management plan is a significant milestone in attempting to preserve Lake Ngami, which has the potential to become a travel destination and target for eco-tourism projects and scientific study. As part of the Okavango Delta Ramsar site and a Birdlife International Important Birding Area, it holds great potential in providing sustainable benefits to local communities through bird related tourism. Careful implementation of the tourism aspects of this plan, however, and adaptation to the changing locations of key areas are critical if the communities are to generate benefits from Lake Ngami while protecting its biodiversity for the future. For the local market, mainly located in Maun, recreational use of the lake through fishing and boating activities is also expected. The management plan compliments numerous collaborative efforts on the part of the United States Government and Tawana Land Board efforts to raise community-level awareness for conserving Lake Ngami. The United States Government, through USAID-funded SAREP, has worked closely since 2010 with local authorities and community based organisations to protect livelihoods and natural resources throughout the Ngamiland region. For further information, please contact the Communication Specialist, Mr. Lovemore MOSE at SAREP Office Tel: 3935100 Fax: 3935015 Cell: +267 71519382 Email: [email protected] Alternative Email: mouza@rocketmail
Posted on: Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:22:02 +0000
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