GLF Bonn 2018 Side Event 3.2: Lessons learned and best practices for the management of tropical peatlands: An inter-tropical dialogue (https://events.globallandscapesforum.org/agenda/bonn-2018/day-1/side-event-3-2-lessons-learned-and-best-practices-for-the-management-of-tropical-peatlands-an-inter-tropical-dialogue)

1. Governmental Initiatives for Peatland
Conservation through ecotourism in
the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Joseph E. Mbaiwa, PhD
Okavango Research Institute
University of Botswana
Peatland South-South Dialogue : the Global Landscape
Forum
30th November -3nd December 2018
Bonn, Germany

2. Where is Okavango Delta?
Located in north-western
Botswana, Southern Africa
British Prot until 1966.
Pop of 2.2 million people.
Democracy, every 5 years
there is an election

3. Okavango Delta – Biodiversity
Natural wetlands (e.g. Okavango) in developing countries are popular
because they are home to a lot of biodiversity (e.g. plants, animals,
habitats, etc)

4. Okavango Delta –Tourism destinations
Wetlands like the Okavango have recently become destinations for international
tourists interested in wilderness experience

5. Policies & Plans
Policies/Plans Objectives
Ngamiland Tourism
Development Plan
(NDTP)
(2007)
provides a framework for tourism development in Ngamiland district, as a
component of Okavango delta management Plan
The Plan is to strive for the development of a world-class nature-based tourism
destination that is economically sustainable and optimizes benefits to local
communities and the nation, within agreed Limits of Acceptable Change.
The Plan conceptually divided Ngamiland District into Tourism Development Areas
(TDAs), with MEP falling within the Maun TDA.
Okavango Delta
Management Plan
(ODMP) 2008; reviewed
2012
Prepared mainly as a result of the Government of Botswana’s ratification of the
convention on wetlands - The Ramsar Convention – on the 4th of April 1997.
ODMP reiterated the need for the conservation and wise use of the Okavango
Delta’s resources.
Its overall goal is: “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”.

6. Okavango Delta Management Plan – ODMP of 2007
• Sustainable development is defined as "development that meets the needs
of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs“
• The sustainable management of the Okavango Delta & natural
resources is currently defined by the ODMP of 2007.
• The ODMP, was developed from 2003 to 2006. The ODMP Goal is:
"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"(ODMP 2007).

7. ODMP Strategic Goals
1. To establish viable institutional arrangements to support
integrated resource management of the Okavango Delta;
2. To ensure the long term conservation of the Okavango Delta
and the provision of existing ecosystem services; and,
3. To sustainably use the wetland resources of the Okavango
Delta for the long-term benefits of all stakeholders (ODMP,
2008).
 The three ODMP strategic goals are targeted at the three
thematic areas; the institutional, the bio-physical and the
socio-economic dimensions of management.

8. Zonation of Okavango Delta – TDAs
To achieve Sustainable tourism:
The wetland is divided in seven (7)
tourism development areas.
Tourism becomes sustainable if it is
economically viable, ecologically
sensitive and culturally appropriate
(Wall, 1997).
ODMP has recommendations for
carrying capacities/LACs in lodges.
ODMP has a Waste Management
Strategy & types of infrastructure
required in the Delta.
ODMP stipulates benefit sharing by
stakeholders in the Okavango.

9. Policies & Plan
Botswana Ecotourism
Certification System,
Ecotour Standards &
Accommodation
Standards, (BECS) 2008
The BECS encourage and support responsible environmental, social and cultural
behaviour by tourism businesses and ensure that investors provide a quality eco-
friendly product to consumers.
The BECS comprises a set of performance standards, designed to meet/exceed
basic environmentally responsible standards or legislation.
The Botswana National
Ecotourism Strategy
(NES) of 2002
NES is to create an environment in which all elements of tourism development
planning and management facilitate, promote and reward adherence to the key
guiding ‘principles’ of ecotourism by all of those involved in the tourism industry.
These include the following:
 Minimizing negative social, cultural and environmental impacts.
 Maximizing the involvement in, and the equitable distribution of economic
benefits to, host communities and citizen entrepreneurs.
The Wildlife
Conservation Policy of
1986
(under review)
Policy governs the sustainable utilisation of wildlife resources
Policy provides for the establishment and management of national parks and
game reserves, wildlife management areas, controlled hunting areas and other
matters connected therewith.
Tourism Policy Year:
1990 (under review)
Policy designed to ensure that tourism activities are carried out on an ecologically
sustainable basis.
Policy advocates a “high cost - low volume” tourism approach

10. Institutional Framework
Institution Roles and Functions
Department of Tourism (DoT)
Ministry of Environment, Wildlife
and Tourism (MEWT)
 Regulates tourism enterprises;
 Sets out procedures with respect to applications for tourism licensing;
 Undertakes inspections;
Department of Environmental
Affairs (DEA)
 Competent authority for the implementation of the EIA
 Responsible for overall coordination of environmental activities in Botswana;
Department of Wildlife and
National Parks (DWNP)
 Statutory responsibility for management of National Parks and Game Reserves
and Sanctuaries
 Enforces all legislation relating to wildlife resources;
 Responsible to raise public awareness and appreciation of Botswana’s wildlife
resources;
 Responsible for issuing guides and hunters licenses capturing and culling, as well
as fish and other wildlife farming permits.
 Support for communities under the CBNRM policy
Department of Forestry and Range
Resources (DFRR)
 Statutory responsibility over the utilisation of range resources including forest
reserves management and implementation of the Forest Act and Policy;
 Support to communities under the CBNRM policy;
 Prevention and control of wild fires
Department of Waste Management
and Pollution Control (DWMPC)
 Providing policy direction in all matters pertaining to sanitation, waste
management and pollution control;
 Monitoring the collection, disposal and treatment of controlled wastes
 Monitoring the level of pollutants in the environment.

11. Lessons Learnt & Best Practices
International Protocols & Recognition
 In 1997 the Okavango Delta was
declared a Wetland of International
Importance – a Ramsar site (hence
referred to as the Okavango Delta
Ramsar Site - ODRS.
 ODRS covers 55,374 square
kilometres and is one of the largest
Ramsar sites in the world.
 In 2014, Okavango Delta became the
1000th UNESCO World Heritage Site
 Okavango Delta Management Plan in
2009 adopted to manage land use
practices in the wetland

12. Lessons & Best Practice
Institutional & Legal Framework
• Establish Government Ministry &
Government departments that
ensure management of wetlands
• Rectify and adopt international
protocols that ensure management
of biodiversity and wetlands.
• Adopt policies and strategies that
ensure the sustainable use of
natural resources in wetlands.
• Ensure local communities and
stakeholders benefit from tourism
development in wetlands to get
conservation buy-in