Okavango Delta - Jewel of the Kalahari

The Okavango Delta, a magic piece of creation which makes Botswana unique, attractive and appealing. The Okavango River is quite unique in that it is the only perennial river in Africa that flows eastwards without reaching the ocean. After a journey of more than a thousand kilometres, it drains itself in the endless sands of the Kalahari basin. The river enters Botswana at Mohembo and runs for about 95 km before it fans out to form the Okavango Delta. The Delta holds a vitally important place in the ecological, economic and cultural fabric of Botswana as it provides a vast area of water and flooded grassland with good grazing for the rich diversity of wildlife and livestock. Many people derive their livelihood from fishing and floodplain farming. The Delta is also economically valuable as it serves both as a source of revenue from tourism and source of water for the region.  

Why ODMP

The Government of Botswana ratified the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, commonly known as the Ramsar Convention, in April 1997. It listed the Okavango Delta and the surrounding areas as a Ramsar site and in doing so made it the world's largest area protected under the convention. Concerns over increasing threats to, as well as actual impacts on, the well-being and changes in the ecological functioning of the Okavango Delta and other wetlands have been raised and observed over the years. Among other factors, such changes have been attributed to a growing population, its accompanying socio-economic developments and the impacts of these. The Okavango Delta is no exception in this respect and such concerns led Government to develop the draft National Wetlands Policy and Strategy (2001). The provisions of the Wetlands Policy, packaged with obligations under the Ramsar Convention, require that Botswana develop an Integrated Management Plan of the Okavango Delta.

National and district consultations on wetland management issues and specifically on the management of the Delta resources have been conducted over the past two decades. It has been realised that efforts to address these issues need to be supported by appropriate planning and management tools and the commissioning of a project to develop the Okavango Delta Management Plan will assist in this regard. Land use conflicts are common and resource management strategies are not always in harmony.    

The Planning Exercise

The Okavango Delta Management Plan Project was designed under the main principle of strengthened ownership through accountability and active participation of all stakeholders both during the development of the plan and the subsequent implementation. Supporting principles include:

• Association of international stakeholders through the fulfilment of obligations outlined in relevant multi-lateral environmental agreements, those of the Permanent Okavango River Basin Commission (OKACOM) and other regional protocols ratified by Botswana
• The adoption of an integrated planning process where all sectors collaborate at all planning and implementation stages
• Enhancement of capacity within project institutions and communities residing in the Delta area
• Using the Ecosystem Approach in order to comprehensively manage the Delta in a manner which devolves responsibility to the lowest levels of society and within the acceptable ecological limits, economic context and using a broad information base.
• Sensitivity to aspects of gender and HIV/AIDS.

The project is financed by a combination of the Government of Botswana supported by the international donor agencies of IUCN, SIDA, DED and DANIDA. The project is set for a period of 39 months.

The approach to the development of the plan emphasises wide consultation and enhanced collaborative action in planning and discharge of responsibilities in order to identify "hotspots" or areas of conflict. It also emphasises integrated resource mobilisation to address such issues. The plan development will follow a phased approach organised into:

• An Inception Report that details the project component activities and time schedule – delivered October 2004
• A Framework Management Plan that will outline key elements needed to shape and structure the integrated management plan – September, 2005
• A Draft Management Plan comprising a fully structured and content-rich plan for consideration by all stakeholders before submission for government ratification – March 2006
• The Final Management Plan – October, 2006 

The project is coordinated by the National Conservation Strategy Agency (NCSA) in the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism. The Executive Secretary of the NCSA manages the project and is assisted by a Project Facilitator. A Project Secretariat comprising of a Project Coordinator, Chief Technical Advisor, Information/Public Education officer and support staff has been established in Maun to carry out the day-to-day coordination of the project components. A Project Steering Committee (PSC), chaired by the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, has been established to provide policy guidance and make key project decisions. The PSC is comprised of the relevant Directors and CEOs of the project partner institutions as well as representatives of donor agencies and NGOs. At district level the project is supervised by the Okavango Wetlands Management Committee (OWMC) comprised of representatives from all district project partner institutions, NGOs and CBOs. The OWMC is chaired by the Secretary of Tawana Land Board.

Many stakeholders are associated with the planning process. These include:

• Local communities, tour and safari operators, Community Based Organisations (CBOs), private individuals, companies and associations
• District institutions – government departments, local authorities, the District Land Use Planning Unit, the District Development Committee and the Plan Management Unit
• Directors/heads of all ODMP component institutions, project donors/partners, NGOs and the private sector at national level through the Project Steering Committee (PSC).
• International stakeholders through OKACOM, the Ramsar Bureau and IUCN's worldwide network.

Project Rationale

Overall Objective

To integrate resource management for the Okavango Delta that will ensure its long-term conservation and that will provide benefits for the present and future well-being of the people, through sustainable use of its natural resources.

Project Purpose

To develop a comprehensive, integrated management plan for the conservation and sustainable use of the Okavango Delta and surrounding areas.

Outcomes and Outputs

The expected outcomes and outputs are summarised as:

• Provision of a long-term vision for the Okavango Delta that includes development options and management scenarios
• An integrated, dynamic management plan, providing the overarching framework and contextual guidelines for all other district strategies, plans (e.g. specific settlement development plans), individual areas (e.g. Wildlife Management Areas) and sector (e.g. Panhandle Management plan) management plans
• A plan that is adopted by all major stakeholders
• Determination and setting levels of use in order to ensure sustainability and protection of the natural resources of the Ramsar site
• Determination and implementation of research needs, determination of monitoring requirements and setting standards
• Provision of data and filling of information gaps
• Proposition of development options to the Permanent Okavango River Basin Commission (OKACOM) for its entire Okavango River Basin management planning exercise
• Establishment of an institutional framework to implement the management plan
• Development of procedures for implementation, as well as regular and transparent review of the plan
• Creation of capacity in the different implementing agencies, not only for the planning process itself but also to ensure the plan's eventual and ongoing implementation. This includes, but is not limited to, improving:
• Data handling, collection and storage ability
• Comprehensive monitoring and evaluation
• Education about ecosystem functioning and use
• Training in specific and relevant areas as determined by component focal points in association with the ODMP Project Secretariat 

Project Components, Objectives and Outputs

The project is designed in a sector-based or thematic areas approach with twelve components implemented by relevant organisations within and outside government. The thematic areas were derived from the issues which were raised during the stakeholder consultations. Lead agencies have been identified and tasked with a responsibility to develop and implement activities directed at addressing the problems identified. Each component institution has a designated focal person(s) for direct contact with the Project Secretariat and other components.

Each component has an agreed budget allocated and funds are disbursed at the beginning of every financial year and administered by the individual institutions through their normal financial procedures.

The project is organised into 12 components.

Policy, Planning and Strategy - National Conservation Strategy Agency

Objective

Sustainable natural resources management and improved livelihoods realised through integrated management planning in the Okavango Delta.

Outputs

Project Secretariat

• ODMP Management Structures in place
• A Functional, Integrated Management Planning Process
• An integrated Okavango Delta Management Plan

NCSA

• A report on policy review and recommendations
• A report on the economic characterisation of the delta
• An updated map of the Ramsar site and information sheet
• A common, shared and agreed vision for the delta
• A training and capacity building programme

Communication - National Conservation Strategy Agency

Objective

All the stakeholders (communities, national, regional and international) empowered to sustainably use and conserve the Okavango Delta and its resources through effective communication, dialogue and information exchange. The communication programme will ensure that:

• Key stakeholders, including those that represent the upstream interests in the river basin, share knowledge about the functioning of the Okavango ecosystem and its local, national and international importance
• All stakeholders mutually understand and agree upon the strategic choices underlying the conservation and wise use of the Delta and that this understanding and agreement is reflected in the final management plan
• Key local, national, regional and international stakeholders participate fully in the drafting, adoption and the subsequent implementation of the plan.

Outputs

• A widely agreed Communication Strategy
• Communication mechanisms, tools and training manuals, meetings and workshop proceedings
• A training and capacity building programme

Research and Data Management - Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre

Objective

A comprehensive data and information management system is available in appropriate formats supported by continuous research and adoption of local knowledge through participatory means.

Outputs

• A comprehensive data storage and management function
• A library service supporting research and inquiries of third parties.
• A widely available Okavango Delta 5–10 year research strategy based on wide consultation.
• Guidance in participatory planning is given to partner institutions (reports, advice and training courses).

Hydrology and Water Resources - Department of Water Affairs

Objective

Sustainable water resources management, through improved understanding and enhanced modelling of hydrological dynamics, which ensures the wellbeing of the human population and the natural environment.

Outputs

• A comprehensive integrated hydrological model.
• An improved hydrological and climatic monitoring programme.
• An improved aquatic weed control programme.
• Waterway traffic regulations (speed, boat type/size, engine size etc.) including guidelines on carrying capacity for motorboats and zoning (temporal/spatial) of waterways.
  20) A training and capacity building programme 

Wildlife Management - Department of Wildlife and National Parks

Objective

Sustainable management of the Delta's wildlife populations particularly in relation to the well-being of communities and interactions with the livestock sector and tourism industry.

Outputs

• Report with recommendations for reduced human-elephant conflict in and around the Delta.
• Buffalo survey report with recommendations and maps
• Slaty Egret survey report with recommendations and maps.
• Predator - livestock conflict report with recommendations and maps.
• Rare species survey report with recommendations and maps.
• Training and capacity programme.

Sustainable Tourism and CBNRM - Department of Tourism and Noth West District Council

Objective

Improvement, development and diversification of district tourism, particularly ecotourism and CBNRM, activities and programmes to create an enabling environment for conservation, sustainable utilisation and management of natural resources for the mutual benefit of local and national economies, livelihoods and poverty alleviation.

Outputs

• A comprehensive report on carrying capacity and limits of acceptable change in the tourism and ecotourism sector with clear recommendations on setting limits.
• A comprehensive report on tourism and ecotourism diversification, as well as citizen participation, engagement and employment with recommendations on areas for new tourism development and changes required to improve citizen involvement.
• A review of, and report on, the existing Ngamiland CBNRM sector with recommendations for diversification, especially into new, non-tourism based activities.
• A District Tourism Development Strategy and an Ecotourism Action Plan.
• A tourism and ecotourism monitoring programme built on and developed simultaneously with a functioning and user friendly database and information system that can be used to assess industry performance, trends and impacts.

Sustainable Fisheries Utilisation and Management - Fisheries Division,  Department of Wildlife and National Parks

Objective

Sustainable use and management of the Okavango Delta's fish resource by a revised and implemented Fisheries Act and fisheries regulations and improved understanding of resource dynamics achieved via rigorous scientific monitoring, better planning, practical field interventions, greater stakeholder participation and appropriate conflict resolution mechanisms.

Outputs

• Report on status of the fish stock
• Fisheries Socio economic study report
• Fishery frame survey report
• Fishery creel survey report
• Fisheries management plan
• Capacity building and training programme.

Vegetation Resources Management - Department of Crop Production, Forestry Division and Agricultural Resources Board

Objective

Sustainable management of vegetation resources and resolution of management conflicts by determination and use of accurate ecological data and information on local user demands, as well as through the use of localised management structures.

Outputs

• A report and maps on carrying capacity and stocking rates
• Vegetation profiles and maps (types, composition and condition)
• Vegetation Resources Management Plan
• Fire Management Plan
• Training and capacity building programmes

Physical Planning - North West District Council

Objective

An integrated settlement and infrastructure development plan for Shakawe village, which will take into consideration the socio-economic needs of the population and the conservation and sustainable use of the natural resources in the area and enable development of other settlements and infrastructure properly attuned to the unique environment of the Okavango Delta, specifically its ecological functioning and natural resources base.

Outputs

• A Geotechnical survey report
• An Environmental Impact Assessment report
• The Shakawe Development Plan
• Training for council staff and stakeholders where appropriate. 

Sustainable Land Use and Land Management - Tawana Land Board in conjunction with District  Land Use Planning Unit

Objective

To plan and develop an integrated land use plan attuned to the needs of the conservation and sustainable use of the Okavango Delta and that should be implemented with detailed land management guidelines and supported by a comprehensive land database.

Outputs

• A report of survey detailing gaps in existing plans, current land and natural resources use, stakeholder aspirations as well as the need for detailed land use plans
• An integrated land use plan regulating land use and land management paying specific attention to vulnerable areas in the Okavango Delta
• Plan and policy implementation guidelines (land management, ecosystem and natural resources management and wetland management)
• Tawana Land Board and DLUPU staff well trained on multi-zone land use planning, integrated water resources management and conflict resolution
• A well developed, comprehensive land database

Waste Management - North West District Council, Department of Environmental Health

Objective

Solid and liquid waste is well managed in the whole Ramsar site, particularly in the tourism and related sectors, complying with national policies and regulations and meeting or exceeding international standards and thereby preventing possible loss of biodiversity and other environmentally harmful consequences that could otherwise result from insufficiently managed waste.

Outputs

• A District Waste Management Strategy developed and implemented
• Capacity Building and Training Programmes

Sustainable Livestock Management - Department of Animal Health and Production

Objective

To assess the disease control strategies currently utilised in the Okavango Delta and make recommendations on potential changes or improvements to these that will ensure sustainable management of livestock and the concomitant conservation of wildlife.

Outputs

• Baseline data report and Tsetse Monitoring programme
• Report on maintenance of veterinary fences
• Educational programmes on disease control measures
• Report on effectiveness of provision of boreholes away from the Delta

Training and capacity building programmes

For more information contact The Director, Department of Environmental Affairs Gaborone, Botswana, Tel: +267 3902050; Fax: 267 3902051/314687