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

of 1990) has done much in keeping tourist numbers down. However, existing
tourism management and development plans in the area need to be revised as they
do not encourage the establishment and observation of carrying capacities. It has
been recommended by the Department of Tourism that government should consider
making it mandatory for any tourists or visitors into the Okavango Delta to be
accompanied by a professional guide/so Although this recommendation is currently
not feasible due to shortages of guides and resources, if implemented, it would allow
for the effective monitoring and control of tourist numbers, and help reduce
environmental problems caused by tourists and their activities while in the Okavango
Delta (Mbaiwa, 2002).
The problems associated with the failure by tourism operators to follow proper waste
management guidelines need to be addressed urgently. As the Okavango Delta is
an environmentally sensitive area with a high water table and sandy soils, the
potential for the pollution of ground water resources due to poor liquid waste
disposal techniques is high. Additionally, solid waste disposal is also often not
carried out in accordance with government requirements. Many of the tourist
facilities in the Okavango Delta have resorted to burning solid waste and litter, which
has led to an increase in bush fires in the area, which, as discussed, is a serious
problem in the Okavango Delta. Current government regulation states that all waste
from camps and lodges in the Delta should be transported to, and disposed of in,
existing landfill sites in Maun, or other larger towns such as Shakawe. However, this
is not being observed, as most of the waste is disposed of at the tourist site. As
such, the enforcement of legislation controlling both solid and liquid waste disposal
in the Okavango Delta needs to be given greater attention by the government
(Mbaiwa, 2002).
9.12.3 Future Research into the Causes, Effects and Control of Bushfires in
the Okavango Delta
An investigation into the causes, effects and control of bushfires in the Okavango
Delta is urgently needed. Fires are a socio-economic and environmental hazard and
are increasing throughout the area, particularly during the dry season months of July
to October. The dry season is important to both the tourism industry and local
people, as it is the time when the river floods and is also the peak tourist season.
409