Environmental policy and administrative management

Botswana experiences uncontrolled wildfires every year between August and October when climatic conditions cause fires to be intense and affect large areas. Uncontrolled wildfires fires are a hazard to life, property and affect land use and sustainability of community livelihoods. Community Based Fire Management (CBFiM) involves communities in the management of fire throughout the landscape. The multiple use area Mababe Controlled Hunting Area NG-41 and Mababe Zokotsama Community Development Trust as a well established Community Based Organisation is an ideal scenario to implement an innovative CBFiM initiative involving managing Fire as a Resource to maximise the benefits and minimise the negative impacts of fire to alleviate poverty and sustain livelihoods in Botswana. The primary objectives of the Project is to develop and implement an Integrated Fire Management Program 2009 / 2010 as a CBFiM initiative that enables the MZCDT to effectively manage Wildfires, Land Use and the Environment to maximise the benefits of the CHA NG-41 to the Mababe Community. Integrating adjoining neighbours including other CHAs (Private Concession and Community Trust) and state lands will develop the capacity of the surrounding community to maximise the benefits of their areas through the CBFiM initiative.

Botswana