the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ...

fishing grounds. This is resulting in a number of negative impacts. Firstly, the
increased number of boats with outboard engines is leading to oil spillages and the
pollution of the Okavango's waters. As most parts of the Delta are still relatively
isolated, many of the boat engines (particularly local community boats) are not
serviced and develop leaks. While the extent of oil pollution from boats in the Delta
is not too serious yet, the cumulative effect of this oil, together with other forms of
water pollution (which will be discussed later) can have a serious, long-term effect
on the health of the river system and its aquatic life.
Noise pollution from motor boats, small aircraft, road vehicles and tourists
themselves has also become a problem in the Okavango Delta. The noise disturbs
hippopotamus populations, nesting birds and other wildlife species in the Delta.
Roodt (1998) notes, with regards to the Xakanaxa area in the Moremi Game
Reserve, that ten years ago, when there were far fewer boats, the islands on the
fringes of the Xakanaxa lagoon were favourite nesting spots for many aquatic birds.
However, today, with the increase in tourism and hence boats in the area, only a few
birds nest in the lagoon area. Roodt (1998) further states that the increase in boat
traffic in the Gedikwe/Xhobega area of the Reserve has already led to a decrease in
the number of bird nesting sites between 1991 and 1998.
The influx of tour operators in the Delta has also led to an increase in the number of
small airplanes (and recently helicopters) and the establishment of new airstrips in
the area. Aircrafts are used to carry tourists and supplies throughout the Okavango
area, and hence are a source of noise pollution which alarm bird and animal life.
There are approximately 25 privately owned airfields in and around the Okavango
Delta registered with the Department of Civil Aviation. In addition, the government
maintains seven airstrips in the area, excluding those used by the Botswana
Defence Force. There is also a total of 14 privately owned air charter companies,
with over a hundred small engine aircraft operating in the Okavango Delta.
According to the Department of Civil Aviation in Maun, the construction of some of
the airstrips in the Okavango Delta was unwarranted due to the density of already
existing airstrips in the area. The presence of so many aircraft in the Okavango,
which in most cases fly at low altitudes, disturbs the wildlife and birds (Main, 2001;
Roodt, 2004).
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