ABOUT the project
The International water way, the Chobe Linyanti Kwando Wetland System straddles Botswana and Namibia and is the centre of exceptional biodiversity and increasingly the focus of development pressure in a contrasting policy environment. Community livelihoods are dependent on these resources and directly affected by activities, which impact the wetlands system. Although this wetland has been identified as a potential Ramsar Site, there has been no site inventory, integrated management plan nor specific protection or advancement of Ramsar Site Identification. This wetland is unique and supports one of the largest elephant populations in the world (87,000, 2002 DWNP Aerial Survey), which has affected vegetation, wildlife, and the poorest sectors of society: women from female-headed households (CARACAL, 2004). Community needs and co-management of this wetlands must be advanced so that their livelihood requirements are embraced in wetlands planning activities.
Through support from the UNDP Small Global Environmental Fund, we are integrating the Ecosystem Approach and Participatory GIS tools to identify key wetlands resources essential to community livelihoods and identify opportunities and threats to these resources. This information will serve as a foundation for developing dialogue between communities and Government as resource planning and development accelerates in Chobe District along this wetlands.
CARACAL together with Virginia Tech is committed to promoting the interests of communities and advancing partnerships between communities and Govenrment to improve resource mangement and rural livelihoods in this wetlands. Lets work together to assist our communities realize full benifits of our natural resources.