Environmental policy and administrative management

Makomoto cattle posts and the surrounding areas are well known for selling firewood, which has resulted in range degradation. This can be attributed to the fact that live trees are being cut, dried and sold to by passers. The cutting of live trees in simple terms is a clear indication of the dwindling supply of naturally occuring deadwoods in the wild. The reason why the local community has resorted to the commercialisation of the sell of firewood is because there is limited livelihood opportunities as evidenced by the level of poverty due to limited formal employment opportunities in the area as evidenced by the community members relying in either agriculture or remittances from family members working elsewhere in the country. The main objective of the project is to undertake an extensive community mobilisation activity that is geared towards educating community members on the importance of environmental protection and the benefits of establishing a Trust. Activities will include holding community and stakeholders` consultative meetings; which will guide the whole process of establishing a Community Based Organisation as stipulated in the country`s 2007 CBNRM Policy.

Botswana