Botswana has committed itself to ensuring that more locals have a major stake in the country’s wildlife economy, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said on Tuesday, 25 June 2019.
Addressing reporters in the capital Gaborone, Masisi said that Botswana had participated at the just-ended wildlife economic summit in neighbouring Zimbabwe and has resolved to place people, especially citizens, at the centre of her wildlife economy.
“We will also double our efforts in inclusion through the resuscitation of Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM). We had lapsed in our assurances to communities in the wildlife economy. We will continuously engage our communities and that will be guided by our principle of consultation,” Masisi promised.
He said it is important for the government systems to assure the rights of all communities sharing habitat with wildlife.
According to Masisi, communities are instrumental in shaping policies and conversations around beneficiation in the wildlife and natural resources centre.
“We are going to accelerate our commitment to ensuring community engagement in CBNRM,” said Masisi.
One of the community representatives who attended the summit, Wallican Sarah, said they were confident that Masisi has endorsed their aspirations but called on him and other African leaders to walk the talk.
“As communities sharing habitat with wildlife, we should not be distant observers. We should be involved when policies are formulated,” he said.
– APA
