Bio-diversity

Matlapana Community Trust aims at conserving natural resources through establishment of a botanical reserve, aquarium and cultural centre to cater for ecotourism activities. The proposed activities will have far reaching global benefits through preservation of some endangered and threatened species found in the Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta is of international importance as it is the largest Ramsar site and the only inland Delta in the worl heavily endowed with natural and fish resources and world known tourist destination with a lot of tourism enterprises offering the world first class wilderness experience. The establishment of an arboretum/botanical garden will lead to preservation and sustenance of the biodiversity of the Okavango Delta through in-situ conservation of indigenous species. The aquarium will be the first of its kind in Botswana; ideal to showcase the acquatic life of the Delta while providing recreational and educational facilities as it is the case world wide. These will contribute to diversification of the product and accord people a chance to appreciate and learn about acquatic resources that have not been paid much attention. The cultural centre at the`beach` will go a long way to regulate and monitor activities that degrade the land/river front and reduce the aesthetic value of the Boro and Thamalakane river confluence; show case cultural and traditional life and offer traditional cuisine. The community to be engaged hands-on in the tourism industry acquiring the much needed and scarce skills. The enterprises will create employment, income and associated spin off activities which will lead to poverty reduction; while empowering and instilling a sense of ownership and pride to communities to be co-managers of natural resources.

Botswana