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The newsletter is brought to you by IUCN Botswana to facilitate the sharing of information of the environment in Botswana. Please note that news and information is what is brought to our attention by our readers and other sources and is not necessary reflecting all environmental news in Botswana. IUCN is not responsible for the factual correctness of the information. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN.
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CONSULTATIVE MEETING OF THE SADC ON CLIMATE CHANGE (OCTOBER
2000)
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Environment
and Land Management Sector (ELMS) in collaboration with IUCN called
the first Consultative Meeting of the SADC on climate change in
preparation for the upcoming sixth Conference to the Parties to
the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (13-24
November 2000, Den Haag, The Netherlands). The meeting was co-hosted
with the Government of Botswana's Department of Meteorological
Services (Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication) and
funded by Deutshe Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTX)
GmbH. Representatives from the governments of Botswana, Lesotho,
Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Sounth Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe
attended the meeting with representatives from NGOs, international
organisations, the private sector and research institutions. The
meeting was held in Gaborone, Botswana, 18-20 October 2000 to
review the UNFCCC COP-6 agenda and identify areas of common interest
on the following topics: Implementation of Articles 4.8 and 4.9
of the Convention; Capacity-building for Developing Countries;
the Development of Transfer of Technology; Land use, Land use
change and Forestry; and the Clean Development Mechanism. For
more information, click here and/or contact IUCN Botswana.
OKAVANGO DELTA IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT THE FIRST MAJOR CONSERVATION
EVENT OF THE MILLENIUM
Amman Congress, IUCN's second World Conservation Congress (held
4-11 October), was the first major conservation event of the new
millennium and defined key conservation goals for the new century.
The theme of the Congress was "ecospace" - a term that
indicates that the protection of the environment is a pre-requisite
for the social, economic and even political security of people.
About 2,500 IUCN members, commission members and partners from
some 140 countries attended, including Botswana's Minister of
Lands and Housing, Hon. Jacob Nkate, and representatives from
the National Conservation Strategy (Co-ordinating) Agency, Conservation
International Okavango Programme, Forestry Association of Botswana,
Kalahari Conservation Society, Chobe Wildlife Trust and Khama
Rhino Sanctuary. Nkate presented a compelling account on the activities
of the Government of Botswana to manage the Okavango Delta wisely.
As a direct result of his presentation, IUCN has included the
Okavango Delta Management Plan in its Water and Nature Initiative.
(IUCN Botswana, 11 October 2000)
For more information on the Amman Congress visit http://www.iucn.org/amman.
For more information on the IUCN Water and Nature Initiative visit
http://www.iucn.org/themes/wetlands/index.html. See also here
or contact IUCN Botswana directly.
POACHING FALLS IN CHOBE NATIONAL PARKS
A wildlife officer at the Chobe Wildlife Park says poaching in
the area has gone down in the last 4 years. Four years ago, poaching
was a major problem in the Chobe National Park. The poachers mainly
targeted big game such as rhinoceros and elephants for trophies.
Other animals were killed for meat and skins and birds were captured
and sold. (Mmegi/the Reporter, 20 -26 October 2000)
WILD RESOURCE UNDER SIEGE
A newly released TRAFFIC report shows that most wildlife populations
outside protected areas in the east and southern Africa Region
are being greatly impacted by the illegal killing of wildlife
for meat. The two-year study, sponsored by the European Commission,
shows that wildlife, traditionally viewed as a dietary supplement,
has become a key source of food and legal tender in the drive
for human survival in the region. Seven countries (Botswana, Kenya,
Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe) were selected
based on their diversity and range of utilisation programmes.
(Trade Review, Traffic)
ZAMBEZI BASIN HOME TO 40 MILLION PEOPLE
IUCN Botswana, together with Minister Jacob Nkate, launched the
State of the Environment of the Zambezi River Basin 2000 on the
14th of September 2000 at Mokolodi Nature Reserve. The publication
and launch was funded by Swedish International Development Co-operation
Agency (Sida). The publication was prepared as part of the Communicating
the Environment Programme (CEP), a southern African partnership
of SADC-ELMS, IUCN-The World Conservation Union and SARDC. For
more information, contact IUCN Botswana and/or visit http://www.sardc.net/imercsa/zambezi.
DEBATE STILL RAGES ON LIKELY BENEFITS OF VET FENCES
In this the fifth of a six part series on the environmental impact
assessment of veterinary fences in Ngamiland, Dan Peake, writes
on the importance of the fences to the economics of both Ngamiland
and the rest of the country. (Mmegi/The Reporter 13 -19 October
2000, pg13)
WILDLIFE MOVIE SELLS BOTSWANA IN THE US
Botswana's personified wild animals feature film dubbed Whispers:
an Elephants tale was for the first time shown to a score of audience
in one of New York's theatres in the United States on Oct 10.
The film which is 10 months work of Dereck Joubert and his wife
Beverely of Wildlife Films in Kasane was shot in and out of the
Chobe Area in northern Botswana. (The Midweek Sun, October 25
2000 pg 17)
ADF BOOSTS TOURISM
African Development Foundation (ADF), an organisation which aims
to support grassroots groups, is funding a tourism business in
the Okavango to the tune of 1 million Pula. The grant will assist
Okavango Polers Trust, a community based project, to facilitate
income generating opportunities for community members through
the eco-tourism business. (The Botswana Guardian, 6 October 2000,
p15)
NEW PARK FOR GABORONE WEST
A new recreation area was developed by Somarelang Tikologo and
the local Moselewapula Ward Development Committee. The park demonstrates
that neglected open spaces in Botswana can be transformed into
beautiful areas for recreation. For more information, contact
Somarelang Tikologo tel: 313709 or email: somatiko@info.bw.
NGO CONFERENCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
The NGO Conference on the Environment was held from the 1-3 of
August at the Grand Palm Hotel, the theme of which was "Networking
as a means of managing the environment". The conference was
organised by KCS and Thusano Lefatsheng, funded by HIVOS through
the IUCN NGO Support Programme. Presentations covered six themes
developed in the NGO Strategic Environmental Plans which are;
environmental education for sustainability, research and monitoring,
community based environmental management, environmental agenda,
policies and legislation, land and resource tenure and environmental
economics. The conference resolved among other things to resuscitate
the Environment Liason Group in order to improve networking and
established a task force to finalise the NGO Environmental Strategic
Plan.
VPR&D FOUNDER RETIRES
Frank W. Taylor, the founding member of Veld Products Research
& Development, the Gabane based NGO that promotes veld products
for income and food security, has retired from the organistaion.
"Working tirelessly and often without pay Frank was the driving
force behind the organisation" This was said by the person
of VPR&D's board, at a luncheon ceremony in honour of Taylor's
retirement. The chairperson noted that Taylor will continue to
serve VPR&D in his capacity as a board member and trough his
expertise in developing new veld product innovations. In his address,
Taylor thanked everyone for their kind words and acknowledged
the contributions of present and past staff members of VPR&D.
He expressed his desire to make use of his retirement to work
even harder to help VPR&D and other organisations realise
the potential of veld resources for the benefit of people in rural
areas of Botswana.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Environmental Journalist of the Year Award launched by Somarelang
Tikologo last year at the Communicating the Environment workshop
has been awarded to Gideon Nkala. The award aims at recognising
and promoting environmental coverage in Botswana's media. The
award Ceremony was held at the Grand Palm on August 2nd 2000.
CBNRM DRAFT POLICY
The Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce and Industry with assistance
from USAID through Chemonics have been working on a Community
Based Natural Resources Management Policy. On the 15th of August.
The two ministries jointly hosted a workshop to get views on the
draft Policy from NGOs, other Ministries and the Private Sector.
The workshop was attended by over 90 participants, some useful
comments were made and they are currently being incorporated into
the draft policy, in preparation for its submission to Parliament.
SQUATTERS TO FACE MOGAE
Mogoditshane squatters appeal to Government to make land available
for them. They argue that many of their applications for land
have been long pending at the landboard and question the logic
of demolishing their houses when they can be settled somewhere
else. (Mmegi/The Reporter, 04-10 August 2000. Pg2)
WOOD HARVESTING TO BE CURBED
Government is contemplating putting a stop to the harvesting of
fuelwood.. this position came to surface during the Mid term review
of NDP8.On a chapter dealing with environment Minister Nkate made
it clear that his ministry was considering putting measures in
place to protect the environment, for instance introducing green
taxes. (Mmegi/The Reporter 04-10 August pg 6).
LANDFILL HELPS SAFE WASTE DISPOSAL, SAYS NASHA
Nasha officially opened a new sanitary landfill in Francistown
where she urged the council to establish the principle of waste
recovery, where the polluter pays and that of co-operation with
the public in waste management. (Mmegi/The Reporter 04-10 August
pg 12).
SOMARELANG TIKOLOGO PETITIONS GOVERNMENT
A petition with over 3000 signatures was handed to Parliament
calling for immediate action to address the problem of plastic
shopping bags littering Botswana. Mr Jacob Nkate received the
petition on behalf of Government. The campaign co-ordinated by
Somarelang Tikologo, sought signatures from citizens across the
countrywho feel that something has to be done to end the scourge
of plastics polluting the environment and harming livestock. (The
Botswana Guardian, pg.36)
BOTSWANA IN LIVESTOCK EXPERIMENT
Unease is mounting over the Botswana Government's decision to
endorse a controversial and untested electronic national livestock
identification system, utilising an intraluminal bolus. It involves
inserting an electronic devise down the throat of cattle into
its stomach. The system has not been used anywhere in the world
other than in an unfinished official trial through the IDEA project
in the European Union. (The Botswana Guardian, 4 august 2000)
CONTAMINATION OF ENVIRON INCREASES
Botswana faces an increased threat of environmental contamination
as a result of industrial chemicals and pesticides. Despite wide
use of chemical Botswana does not have enforced regulations to
control the import and export manufacture, use, production and
disposal of chemicals. (Botswana Daily News, 23 August 2000. Pg
3)
DIAMONDS THREATEN WILDLIFE
Governments plan to maintain the "pristine environment"
of the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve may be shattered by the
planned diamond mine in Gope. There will be an increase in of
the human population around the Gope area, particularly during
the construction phase. This marked increase in human population
and the related growth of the cash economy will present an increased
risk of poaching. Geoflux, a consulting firm which was engaged
to do an environmental impact assessment of the mine has already
raised fears that the Lephephe - Gope road will result in erosion
of the wilderness value of the CKGR by breaking down its remoteness.
(The Midweek Sun, 19 July 2000, Pg 1)
RIIC'S WAY OF CONSERVING AND PROTECTING WATER RESOURCES
The Rural Industries Innovation Centre (RIIC) based in Kanye is
a nationalappropriate technology centre carrying out research
and development in many areas including renewable energy, water
lifting, treatment and sanitation, agricultural technologies and
building technologies. After construction of its first wetland
treatment system, for the Maunbased Thuso Rehabilitation Centre,
RIIC is now fully engaged in providing services to institutions
or government departments in waste water treatment and reuse.
(Mmegi/The Reporter 18 August 2000, Tikatikwe, Pg 2)
NEW REGIONAL NGO THAT WILL FOCUS ON TBNRM REGISTERED
A new regional NGO focusing on transboundary natural resource
management has been registered in Botswana. The NGO called Forum
for Transboundary Natural Resources (FOTRAN) has a regional focus
and is chaired by Prof. Francis Sefe, formerly Head the Department
of Environmental Science at the University of Botswana. The vision
of FOTRAN is to become a regional and eventually Africa-Wide TBNRM
Forum with the mandate to; Initiate and Facilitate Natural Resources
Related work that touches on cross-border issues and cross-border
development among agencies, communities and governments. FOTRAN
has as its focus on issues surrounding the sustainable use of
shared water resources, wildlife and pollution as it affects sustainability
of these resources. Specifically, areas with shared water resources
in the SADC region and other parts of Africa are numerous. Due
to the importance of water to human survival, wildlife and ecosystems,
FOTRAN will have a bigger focus on issues of shared water resources.
For more information contact Samuel Ndegwa Tel: 267 300624, Fax:
267 300624 and email:sakimani@info.bw
NGAMI WEAVERS ABANDONING BASKET MAKING:
A Threat to a Traditional Handicraft HeritageNhabe Museum is said
to be concerned with the declining rate of basket weaving in Ngamiland.
The Acting Director of Nhabe Museum, Mr Duncan Enga, said in an
interview on June 6 that many potential weavers have abandoned
the basket making industry due to involvement in a variety of
community based projects such as drought relief activities. (The
Botswana Gazette Wed 14 June 2000) For more information contact
Mr Enga, email: museum@info.bw
KGETSI YA TSIE -HOPE FOR CULTURAL REAWAKENING
Kgetsi Ya Tsie, a collective of women from the Tswapong Hills
who have built a business using the areas natural resources, began
with five person groups based in nine villages that would collect
and process the museum@info.bw
many agricultural and veld products found in Tswapong. These include
lerotse to make puddings and jams, thatch grass to make into baskets,
phane, dried beans, mosata, a nutritious vegetarian tree meat
which are dried and packaged , morula to make jam, nuts and soon
natural oils. (The Botswana Gazette, Wed 21 June, 2000. Pg E1)
For more information visit the CBNRM website at http://www.cbnrm.bw
COMMUNITIES LIVE OFF NATURE
This article is about CBNRM projects and gives an example of communities
in the Chobe enclave who are now beginning to see the value of
their natural environment. Since 1993 DWNP has given CECT a quota
for wildlife, which they auction to Safari Companies. For the
quota between 1999 and 2003, they have signed a five year lease
worth P4.2 million. (The Botswana Guardian, Fri June 23 2000,
Pg 3)
FIGHTING THE DESERT WITH TREES
June 17 was the sixth anniversary of the United Nations Convention
to Combat Desertification and Drought. As a signatory Botswana
has pledged to do whatever possible to stop and attempt to reverse
the effects of desertification. The NCSA and Ministry of Agriculture
were marked as agencies to implement the agency. They are currently
compiling a report on research conducted throughout the country
to determine the rate of desertification. (The Botswana Gazette,
Wednesday 28 June 2000, Pg B7)
FENCING OF WESTERN BOUNDARY OF THE NORTHERN TULI GAME RESERVE
Conflicts between wildlife and people are growing in intensity
and frequency throughout Africa. The western boundary of the Northern
Tuli Game Reserve in Botswana (which also delineates the boundary
of the proposed TFCA) is situated adjacent to a resident rural
community. They identified the erection of an effective barrier
to prevent the movement of elephant and other species on to the
community's arable lands as an urgent priority. The Peace Parks
Foundation has subsequently agreed to provide assistance, in collaboration
with the Northern Tuli Game Reserve Land Owners Association and
the Chase Manhattan Foundation, to fund the erection of a game
proof fence (Peace Parks Annual Review 1999).
NATIONAL FORUM ON CBNRM LAUNCHED
NGOs, CBOs, Private Sector, Government and Donors met in Gaborone
30-31 May to launch the National Forum on CBNRM. This initiative
is a follow up to the recommendations made at the National Conference
on CBNRM held in July 1999. The aim of the forum is to co-ordinate
efforts and share information among all the stakeholders in order
to foster an enabling environment for CBNRM implementation in
Botswana. For more information contact IUCN Botswana (secretariat
for the forum), tel/fax: 371 584, email: iucn@iucnbot.bw
GLOBAL MINISTERIAL ENVIRONMENT FORUM
World environmental ministers (incl. Botswana's Minister of Lands
and Housing) met in Sweden 29-31 May at the first-ever Global
Ministerial Environment Forum to prepare for the United Nations
Millennium Assembly in September and Rio+10 in 2002. The forum
discussed the following three topics: the major environmental
challenges in the new millennium, private sector and environment,
responsibilities and functions of the society to the environment
in a time of globalisation. For more information visit: http://www.unep.org/malmo/
INFORMAL BRIEFING ON GEF
The UNDP-Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Regional Co-ordinator
for Biodiversity and International Waters, Dr Niamir-Fuller gave
a one day informal briefing 23 May in Gaborone for stakeholders
from Government and NGOs. The purpose of the briefing was to increase
awareness of the GEF and to discuss project proposals for possible
funding by GEF. This was part of a series of meetings on GEF to
build capacity in Botswana to draw down more effectively on the
global fund.
GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE NEW TOURISM POLICY
Government is putting together a tourism policy which will shift
the mix of tourists away from campers towards permanent accommodation,
increase returns from the tourism sub sector to the communities
living in the tourism areas, and ensure that tourism activities
are carried out in an ecologically sustainable way. (The Midweek
Sun, May 10 2000)
LAUNCHING OF KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park was launched by Presidents Festus
Mogae and Thabo Mbeki 12 May. For more information visit http://www.gov.bw/tourism/tranfrontier
THIRD MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS IN ENVIRONMENT
The third meeting of the Development Partners in Environment was
held in Gaborone 4 May. Development Partners in Environment is
a forum of donors and representatives from government, NGOs, the
private sector and community based organisations. The purpose
of the forum is to discuss major developments on environmental
issues, programmes and projects on a technical level in order
to promote dialogue, co-operation and co-ordination for the benefit
of all Development Partners in Environment in Botswana. For more
information contact IUCN Botswana (secretariat for the forum)
), tel/fax: 371 584, email: iucn@iucnbot.bw
COP 5 TO CBD
The fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention
on Biological Diversity was held in Kenya 15-26 May. The meeting
was attended by close to 1500 participants representing governments
(including Botswana), NGOs, IGOs and indigenous and local community
organisations. Key issues for discussion were: a new thematic
work programme on conservation of dry and sub-humid land biodiversity;
the ecosystems approach; access to genetic resources; alien species;
sustainable use as a cross-cutting issue; biodiversity and tourism;
incentive measures; the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation;
progress in implementing the work programmes on agricultural,
inland water ecosystem, marine and coastal and forest biodiversity;
the Global Taxonomy Initiative; financial resources and mechanism;
scientific and technical cooperation and the Clearing-House Mechanism;
identification, monitoring and assessment, and indicators; and
impact assessment, liability and redress. For more information
visit http://biodiv.org/cop5/index.html
15th GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FORUM
A diverse spectrum of people from different sectors and regions
of the world, including both government and civil society, met
in Kenya 12-14 May (prior to the COP5 to CBD) to address three
themes on the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD): Biodiversity for poverty alleviation, Instruments for access
and benefit-sharing from genetic resources and related traditional
knowledge systems, and Agricultural biodiversity and sustainable
livelihoods: the case of dryland ecosystems. For more information
visit http://www.gbf.ch/
COP 11 to CITES
The 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora was held in Kenya 10-20 April, drawing together some 1400
participants from Contracting Parties (including Botswana), non-party
States, inter-governmental organisations and non-governmental
organisations. The meeting considered proposals to amend the CITES
Appendices and discussed other topics of which ways to improve
the implementation of the Convention; financial matters, conservation
of and trade in elephants, and trade in traditional medicines
such as grapple was of particular interest for Botswana. For more
information on the COP 11 to CITES visit http://www.cites.org/CITES/eng/cop/11/outcome.shtml
and http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/news/citescop11.htm
WORKSHOP ON WOMEN, ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
The Environmental Heritage Foundation of Botswana Trust hosted
a workshop on Women, Environment and Development in Selibe-Phikwe
25-26 May. The objective of the workshop was to integrate women
into the mainstream of issues affecting them in regard to their
daily encounters with environment and development processes. For
more information contact, Environmental Heritage Foundation of
Botswana Trust, tel: 314431, fax: 300316, email:oggi@info.bw
CHOBE WETLANDS CONTRIBUTE MILLIONS
A study carried out by IUCN has established that wetlands have
a significant value both in terms of the country's national production
and people's livelihoods. The study which was carried out in four
southern African states including the Chobe-Caprivi region found
that the Chobe-Caprivi wetlands contribute an annual income of
US$777 000 to the economy of Botswana.
SUNSHINE IN THE OKAVANGO AFTER THE RAINS
The torrential rains that brought such destruction to much of
Southern Africa earlier this year have turned Botswana's Okavango
Delta into a veritable garden of Eden. Rivers that have been dry
for the last 10 years are now flowing, dry season water holes
are full and grass species are flourishing. (The Botswana Gazette,
Wed 31 May, 2000, Pg.15)
NO EARLY RENEWAL OF IVORY TRADE
The governments of Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe have withdrawn
their proposals to the CITES conference to be granted annual quotas
for ivory sale. The expected vote, on the reopening of ivory trade
for the first time since 1989, will therefore not take place.
A proposal by Kenya and India was also withdrawn. This proposal
called for returning the elephant populations of Botswana, Namibia
and Zimbabwe to Appendix I, thus making any future ivory trade
less likely. At the last CITES conference in 1997, Botswana, Namibia
and Zimbabwe was given permission to make experimental sale of
existing ivory stocks, these sales took place in Japan in 1999
and was controlled by the CITES Secretariat. The ivory issue is
likely to be revisited at the next CITES conference. (Infoterra,
17 April 2000). For updates on the CITES CoP see: http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/news/citescop11.htm
KCS SENDS COMMUNITY DELEGATION TO CITES TO SUPPORT GOVERNMENT
STAND ON ELEPHANTS
Kalahari Conservation Society (KCS) has made it possible for community
members from the Sankuyu Community Trust to attend the CITES Conference
to support the Government on the issue regarding a controlled
but legal sale of ivory as well as other elephant products. (The
Botswana Gazette, 12/4 p. B8)
FLOOD DAMAGE PUT AT US$ 18.3M
The Government has estimated that it will need app. P844 mill.
to repair infrastructure damaged by the recent floods. Beside
infrastructural damage the floods killed 13 people and left 60.000
homeless in Botswana alone. (Mmegi/The Reporter 14-20 April 2000,
p. 31)
OPENING OF THE KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK
The official opening of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park at the
12 May 2000 will be attended by the State Presidents of Botswana
and South Africa. The park is the first "peace park"
in Africa and the process towards the establishment has been facilitated
by Botswana Department of Wildlife, South African National Parks
and the Peace Park Foundation. For further information contact:
parks@ppf.org.za , www.peaceparks.org
BOTSWANA AND UK COLLABORATE ON RANGE PROJECT
The Botswana and British governments agreed to the second phase
of the Botswana Range Inventory Monitoring Project (BRIMP). The
British government will provide funding and consultation to the
Ministry of Agriculture in order to strengthen and improve the
management of renewable resources for the benefit of the poor.
The goal is to consolidate earlier work on BRIMP which cover issues
such as; land degradation, veld fires, impact of drought and the
targeting of relief measures and implementation of a pilot community
based vegetation monitoring programme. The project will run for
two years and cost app. P9.200.000. (Mmegi/The Reporter 14-20
April 2000, p.B2)
NORTHERN TULI GAME RESERVE
The Peace Parks Foundation have raised funds to the communities
living near the western boundary of the Northern Tuli Game Reserve.
The funds are used to erect a game-proof fence to prevent the
game from destroying their crops as well as reduce the amount
of elephant/human interactions in the area. For more information
see: parks@ppf.org.za ,
www.peaceparks.org
A FITTING TRIBUTE TO THE WORLD WATER DAY MARCH 22nd
On the 22&23rd of March Water and Sanitary Engineering handed
over two projects on rain and grey water catchment to Ipelegeng
CJSS in Lobatse and SOS Children's Village in Tlokweng. (Tikatikwe,
p.3 in Mmegi/The Reporter 14-20 April 2000)
RECYCLING BEGINS WITH THE YOUTH
Seven schools in Gaborone have started recycling bottles thanks
to a project initiated by Somarelang Tikologo/Environmental Watch
Botswana. Each school has received three bins and is sorting the
glass according to colours. Conclusions from the study are that
much more awareness raising is needed concerning separation of
waste and that recycling is just one component of waste management.
It is also necessary to put emphasis on how to reduce and reuse
the resources. (Tikatikwe, p.2 in Mmegi/The Reporter 14-20 April
2000) For more information contact Jane Ryall, Somarelang Tikologo,
email: somatiko@info.bw
ELETRONIC THEATRE IN GABORONE - SAFARI 2000
At Wednesday 22nd of March UB hosted the NASA produced Electronic
Theatre in Boipuso Hall. The computer produced production was
projected to a 7m*7.5m screen and various examples of the potential
of remote sensing was shown to the 250 spectators that attended
the event. For more information contact Prof. Sue Ringrose, DRD
(S2K National Co-ordinator) email: ringsue@mopipi.ub.bw
NGO PLATFORM ON OIL, GAS AND MINING PROJECTS
As the World Bank and IMF meets for their spring meeting NGOs
have arranged protests and demonstrations to put pressure on the
World Bank to stop financing oil, gas and mining projects. For
more information see: http://www.bicusa.org/
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MOREMI GAME RESERVE
Gaborone - Due to recent heavy rains many roads in the Moremi
Game Reserve and the southern part of the Chobe National Park
are impassable. The Department of Wildlife and National Parks
has therefore been forced to close all road access into the Moremi
Game Reserve until further notice. No vehicles will be permitted
to enter the Reserve through Maqwee (South Gate) or Khwai (North
Gate). Road access to Savute from Maun has also been closed. Savute
remains accessible from Kasane. Anyone who accesses these areas
despite the closure does so at their own risk. DWNP does not have
any facilities remaining in the Reserve to provide assistance
in case of difficulties. Persons who have reservations for Khwai
(North Gate), Maqwee (South Gate), Xakanaxa or Third Bridge public
campsites are requested to contact the DWNP Reservations Office
in Maun, Box 20364 Maun, telephone 661265 or fax 661264. Department
of Wildlife and National Parks, PO Box 131, Gaborone, BOTSWANA,
email: dwnp@gov.bw, tel: 371405,
Fax: 312354
HOUSEHOLD WASTE SEPARATION STUDY
A new study is being organised by Somarelang Tikologo and Gaborone
City Council to investigate the potential for separating waste
at the household level. Households from high, medium and low income
groups in Gaborone have been taking part in the research since
November last year. The results will emphasise cost savings to
the City Council and the business potential for recycling. It
will also include an analysis of behaviour patterns towards recycling
by the different households taking part. For further information,
contact Jane Ryall at Somarelang Tikologo, Tel/fax 313 709, email:
somatiko@info.bw
BOCONGO - HIVOS WORKSHOP 9-10 March 2000.
The Botswana Council of Non Governmental Organisations, in collaboration
with HIVOS, hosted a national workshop on declining donor support
to civil society institutions, especially NGOs in Botswana. The
workshop attended by more than 40 participants from NGOs and Donors
looked at the extent to which donor support is declining in Botswana
and came up with strategies that NGOs could use to cope with the
problem. For more information about the workshop please contact:
Agreement Tamuhla (BOCONGO), Tel: 311319, email: bocongo@bocongo.bw
BOTSWANA SUBMITS A PROPOSAL ON THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT FOR CONSIDERATION
AT CITES CONFERENCE CONVENING IN APRIL 2000.
Botswana has proposed to amend the current annotation of its elephant
population on Appendix II to allow for an annual quota of not
more than 12 tonnes of ivory and trade in hides and leather goods.
Trade in living animals, and international trade in hunting trophies
would also continue as allowed. In February 1999, the CITES Standing
Committee agreed that the conditions set by COP of Decision 10.1
Conditions for the resumption of trade in African elephant ivory
from populations transferred to Appendix II at the 10th meeting
of the conference of the Parties had been met. Ivory Auctions
were held with Japanese buyers in April 1999. With the conclusion
of this experimental trade, the elephant populations of Botswana,
Namibia and Zimbabwe remain on Appendix II under annotation, but
with a zero quota for ivory. No other international commercial
trade in raw ivory can take place without the approval of a future
COP. (See also, The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 16 February 2000.
Pg.17, The Midweek Sun, Wednesday February 16 2000, Pg 2-3)
SOUTHERN AFRICAN FLOOD TOLL MOUNTS AS WAVE ROARS DOWN LIMPOPO
A floodwave roaring down the Limpopo River from South Africa hit
Mozambique's Gaza province on Sunday, wreaking more devastation
in the wake of the worst flooding in Southern Africa in 50 years.
At least 355 people have been killed in Mozambique, South Africa,
Zimbabwe and Botswana this month by floods and by Cyclone Eline,
which struck on Tuesday, official figures show. (Botswana Daily
News February 29, 2000 No. 40. p4)
TROPICAL CYCLONE FEVER ROCKS BOTSWANA
Botswana has embarked on a 24 hour tropical cyclone watch and
the Department of Meteorological services has already issued an
alert about the impending threat posed by the cyclone. (Alphaeons
Moroke and Bashi Letsididi, The Botswana Guardian Friday February
25 2000 Pg. 2-3.
NO PLANS FOR TRANSFRONTIER RESERVE
Owners of wildlife reserves bordering Botswana, Zimbabwe and South
Africa are interested in establishing a transfrontier wildlife
reserve straddling the borders of the three countries. For now
however, government has no plans to integrate the wildlife reserves,
although the South African Conservation Authorities have also
indicated interest in a transfrontier wildlife reserve. (The Botswana
Guardian Friday February 25 2000 p22)
SADC PREPARES FOR WORLD WATER FORUM
SADC Water Ministers are preparing for the Second World Water
forum scheduled for next month in Haque. It is hoped that the
water Ministers will go there with one vision which is 'access
to safe water for all'. (Munyaradzi Chenje, The Botswana Guardian
Friday February 25 2000 p32-33)
GLOBAL WARMING
Greenhouse gases are increasing throughout the world, but more
especially in industrialised countries. These gases are from burning
fossil fuels like petrol and diesel, and from the burning coal
at electric power stations. The increased carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gases released by these fossil fuels are slowly warming
up the earth's atmosphere. Slowly but surely, Botswana is getting
slightly warmer reveals records of the last 70 years. (Derek Hudson
Mmegi/The Reporter 25 February - 03 March 2000 pB14 - B15)
TSODILO SET FOR WORLD HERITAGE STATUS
Tsodilo Hills in Ngamiland, northwestern Botswana has been nominated
as a World Heritage Site. The Director of the National Museum,
Monuments and Art Gallery said a nomination committee had since
been formed to prepare a 'dossier' on the hills, which will be,
presented to UNESCO. This is expected to be done before the end
of May and the outcome is expected in November 2001. (Ernest Moloi,
Mmegi/The Reporter 03-09 March 2000. P13).
RAINS THROW COUNTRY INTO PANIC
Torrential rains have hit the country especially the eastern corridor
in southern and central regions of Botswana. The rains, which
are said to be the worst in a long time, have resulted in numerous
floods which have caused extensive damage to roads, the main railway,
dams and people's property and left scores of people homeless,
while others are feared dead. Botswana's neighbours, South Africa,
Mozambique and Swaziland were also hit by torrential rains which
left a swathe of destruction in their wake. (Gideon Nkala. Mmegi/The
Reporter 11 - 17 February 2000. Vol.17, No.6, p.4)
WORLD WETLANDS DAY - 2 February 2000
The Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands in his message
for World Wetlands Day invites you to make people in your country
more fully aware of the treasures that they have in their wetlands
already included in the Ramsar List and in those that could be
listed. At the same time, do not forget the other wetlands, those
which might not qualify for inclusion in the List but which are
nonetheless very significant for the people around them. They
too deserve to be celebrated - their conservation and sustainable
use may well be as important for local communities as is caring
for the mega-sites. As in all other aspects of nature conservation
and sustainable use of natural resources, peoples involvement
is the only good recipe for long lasting solutions.
COMMUNICATING THE ENVIRONMENT WORKSHOP 18 November 1999
Somarelang Tikologo brought together journalist and environmentalists
in a workshop on the 18th of November 1999 under the theme Communicating
the Environment. This workshop was organised after Somarelang
Tikologo and other environmental NGOs raised concern about the
low coverage of environmental issues by the local media. Two action
points were identified at the workshop as important building blocks
for environmental communication, namely; 1) There should be closer
networking and communication links between environmental organisations
and the media.
2) There is a need for training and capacity building for both
the media and environmental organisations. Somarelang Tikologo
has been charged with the responsibility of facilitating the implementation
of these two actions. The first meeting for all interested stakeholders
will be held late February at a date to be announced. For those
interested in attending the meeting contact Somarelang Tikologo
at: Tel: 313709/580687, Fax: 313709, Email: somatiko@info.bw
MOLEPOLOLE RE-ZONING SPARKS ROW
Conflict develops between the residents of Molepolole and the
Land Board over homesteads, which were bull, dozed to the ground
to make way for construction in an area zoned for development.
(Bashi Litsididi, The Botswana Guardian. Friday January 14 2000
p 6-7.)
TOURISM INDUSTRY BREEDS CONFLICT
About key stakeholders in the tourism industry heading for a clash
while many Batswana feel they are losing out on the country's
third largest government revenue earner. (Prof Malema, Mmegi/The
Reporter 17-23 December 1999 Vol 16. No.50)
ILLEGAL DUMPING SUFFOCATES VILLAGE
Residents of Ledumadumane lands in the Kweneng could be forced
to abandon their lands and flee with their few surviving livestock
to a more serene area. This may happen if Gaborone based commercial
and construction companies do not stop their indiscriminate waste
disposal, which threatens to turn this once productive area into
an ungazzetted dumping site. (Gideon Nkala. Mmegi/The Reporter
21-27 January 2000 Vol 17 No.3. p 4)
WASTE OIL COLLECTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION SERVICE
COMPANY
About an initiative spearheaded by Shell Oil Botswana through
which oil distribution companies in this country have arranged
for collection of used oil and its transportation to refineries
in South Africa for recycling and or reuse. (Mmegi/The Reporter
24 Dec 1999 - 6 January 2000 Tikatikwe p 2). (Somarelng Tikologo
is playing a leading role in this new recycling initiative by
co-ordinating the promotion. Funded by the major oil companies
in Botswana, ST will ensure that the campaign reaches the appropriate
stakeholders and users of waste through a range of media. For
more information on this initiative contact ST of Ernest Bokete,
Environmental Systems Tel: 582934)
OKAVANGO DELTA ON UNESCO's BIOSPHERE RESERVE LIST
About a meeting attended by Kgosi Tawana on the inclusion of the
Okavango delta on the World Biosphere Heritage List. The meeting
was organised by an environmental association, Preserve, in conjunction
with UNESCO's Man and Biosphere and the Humanity heritage departments.
(Mmegi/The Reporter 21-27 January 2000 Vol 17 No. 3 p B20)
KCS TELLS BOTSWANA DELEGATION TO WTO, WHEN YOU SEE TRADE, THINK
PEPOPLE
. KCS expresses concern that environmental protection and sustainable
development are being left behind in a rush to globalise trade.
(The Gazette Wednesday 24 November, 1999 p B3, The Midweek Sun
Wednesday Nov 24 1999 p 18 and The Botswana Guardian Friday November
26 1999 p 24)
KENYA CALLS FOR TOTAL BAN OF IVORY TRADE
Kenya calls for a total ban on ivory trade as an advisor to the
Kenya Wildlife Services argues that the limited lifting of the
world-wide ban is encouraging illegal poaching of Africa's elephants.
(Botswana Gazette. Wednesday 24 November 1999 p B9)
MINE OF DEATH
There is a conspiracy of silence involving big business, political
interests and millions of Pula evolving around the Selebi Phikwe
life threatening pollution crisis. (Outsa Mokone. In The Botswana
Guardian Friday December 3 1999 p 3)
NASHA CALLS FOR A GREEN REPORTAGE
Minister of Local Government criticises journalists for not giving
women, people with disability and the environment fair coverage.
The minister made this statement at a one day seminar organised
by Somarelang Tikologo for journalists and environmentalists.
(Mmegi/The Reporter 26 November 02 December 1999 p 32 Vol 16 No.47)
CO-ORDINATION NEEDED SAYS MARUAPULA.. Environmental Heritage Foundation calls for co-ordination of environmental programmes and action among organisations involved. (Mmegi/The Reporter 26 November 02 December 1999 Vol.16. No.47 p 40)
IUCN Botswana is part of the international membership organisation,
IUCN-The World Conservation Union, which brings together states,
governments and a diverse range of NGOs in a global partnership
concerned with environmental issues. The IUCN Botswana Programme
started in 1984 in connection with its involvement in preparing
the National Conservation Strategy for Botswana. Other key activities
in Botswana include an independent review of the Southern Okavango
Integrated Development Project, prepare feasibility study for
conducting a State of the Environment Review, prepare management
plans for national parks, and formulate policy on Environmental
Impact Assessment. Present major activities include the IUCN Botswana
NGO Support Programme, CBNRM Support Programme (joint SNV/IUCN),
Community Outreach Programme (with ART and Theatre for Africa)
and the formulation of a Wetlands Policy and Strategy for Botswana
(with Ecosurv for GoB). For informations visit our site www.iucnbot.bw
Greetings from IUCN Botswana