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Environment Programme
BOTSWANA ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE Environmental Profile The climate of the country is semi-arid, with the western part of the country receiving below 250mm of rainfall per annum. The northern part of the country, in contrast, is wetter and receives above 600mm of rainfall per annum. There is, therefore, a gradient in the dryness of the country; the west being very dry while the north is significantly wetter. The railway system in Botswana runs only in the eastern part of the country and has enabled very fast growth of human settlements along it. As a result of the good transport facilities, sufficient rainfall and fertile soils, the majority of the 1.7 million people of Botswana live in the eastern part of the country. The concentration of human settlements along the railway line has, however, strained the eastern ecosystems due to increased fuelwood demand, accumulation of garbage, pollution of the air, and other consequences of urbanization. To the north and north west of the country, the high rainfall has led to the formation of water bodies such as the Okavango Delta, Chobe River and Lenyanti water systems. This area supports a lot of wildlife, and has subsequently become a popular tourist destination. Littering, motorized boats and the increased movement of tourists, however, pose a certain threat to the wildlife of Botswana's north and north-west regions. Insecticides washed off from some of the plantations in the area, combined with pesticides used to control Tsetse fly and water weeds such Salvinia molesta (Kariba weed), have also increased the dangers facing the environment. The western part of the country, the Kgalagadi and Ghanzi Districts, is characterized by shrub savannah. The available grasslands are therefore used mostly for pastoral farming. However, increases in human population and the communal system being utilized in pastoral farming have led to overgrazing by livestock in many areas. Other natural resources, such as the "Devil's claw" plant, are also threatened with extinction due to over-harvesting for commercial purposes. This short summary shows that Botswana as a whole, faces a number of diverse environmental challenges that vary from one region to the other depending on land use and characteristics of the soil. More information on Botswana's environmental profile is provided in the Common Country Assessment. Policies on Environment National Conservation Strategy (1990): demonstrates Botswana's commitment to the sustainable use and conservation of the country's biodiversity. Seeks to increase the effectiveness with which natural resources are used and managed, and to integrate the efforts of ministries and non-governmental interest groups to maximize the conservation of natural resources in the country. Wildlife Conservation policy (1986): Allows for the management and utilization of wildlife resources. Energy Policy (draft): The policy aims to lessen deforestation caused by fuel-wood collection, and ensure that all households and community services have access to adequate and affordable energy services. Agriculture Policy (1991): Seeks to utilize the country's land resources, both grazing and arable, without long-term damage to the environment. Indigenous Livestock Species policy (draft): Ensures the conservation of indigenous livestock species to achieve food security and to guarantee a future supply of animal products and biodiversity in Botswana. Plant Genetic Resources policy (draft): Formulated after the realization that sundry varieties of crops are being replaced by modern cultivars, which are often less diverse. Supports institutions concerned with agro-diversity with the objective to conserve and maintain the diversity of plant genetic resources material through in situ and ex situ conservation. Tourism policy (draft): Promotes low-volume, high-value tourism in Botswana aimed at a market of middle- to high-income patrons. Ensures relatively fewer disturbances to the natural environment with less tourist traffic. Water Master Plan (1991): A set of plans arising form the extensive analysis options for the development and management of water resources of Botswana until 2020. The plans not only outline the basic physical and engineering developments, but also take into account economic, social, environmental, institutional and legal factors. Wetlands Policy (draft): To promote the conservation of Botswana's wetlands in order to sustain their ecological and socio-economic functions and benefits for the present and future well being of the people. Forestry Policy (draft): Will support (1) the development of sustainable forest management options based on sound ecological principles, (2) domestication and commercialization of forest products such as fruits and medicines and (3) restoration of degraded land using afforestation and plantations to make the land reusable. International Conventions and Protocols Botswana is also a signatory or party to the following environment agreements, treaties and conventions.
Statistics
More Information
Common Country Assessment (CCA) 2001 |
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Botswana