Okavango Delta Management Plan - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Table 3-1: Summary of prioritised issues and interventions during the development of the ODMP
No. <strong>Management</strong> Area Key issues Key Activities Status and documentation Recommendations
1 Policy, planning Lack of an overall management plan Development of an An integrated management plan has been developed. DEA to coordinate the implementation of the
and strategy to address the interaction and integrated
plan
relationships between the various management plan
sectors in the <strong>Delta</strong> in such a way,
that the functioning of the <strong>Delta</strong> in
the longer term can be conserved.
Review <strong>Ramsar</strong> site
boundary
The boundary has been reviewed and the incorporated into
the <strong>Ramsar</strong> information sheet (ODMP – <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong>
<strong>Ramsar</strong> Site Boundary Revision Report, 2004)
DEA to submit the revised <strong>Ramsar</strong> Information
sheet and updated map to the <strong>Ramsar</strong>
Secretariat.
DEA to erect signs at the main entry points of
the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> <strong>Ramsar</strong> site
2 Dialogue,
communication and
networking
87
Conflicting plans, policies, laws,
strategies on the use of resources of
the <strong>Delta</strong> occur.
Stakeholders have expressed a wish
for pro-active guidance on issues
concerning the use of the <strong>Delta</strong> and
its resources.
Limited knowledge of economic and
ecological values.
The need for an appropriate
communication programme where
key stakeholders including those that
represent the upstream interests in
the river basin, will share the
knowledge about the functioning of
the <strong>Okavango</strong> ecosystem and its
importance for the different resource
users
To review all policies
Develop a shared
vision
Economic valuation of
the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong>
<strong>Ramsar</strong> Site values
and functions
Develop
communications
strategy in order to
ensure shared
knowledge about
ecosystem functioning
and importance; and
mutual understanding
strategic choices for
conservation and
sustainable use
The policies have been reviewed and recommendations
made for future policy harmonization and policy formulation
(ODMP – Policy Review Report, 2006)
A common and shared vision has been developed (ODMP –
A Common and Shared Vision Report, 2006)
An economic valuation has been undertaken, however only
the use values were estimated (ODMP – Economic Valuation
Report, 2006).
A communication strategy has been developed (ODMP –
Communication Strategy, 2006).
DEA to spearhead the process of policy
harmonization.
Policy formulation should be based on the
strategic environmental assessment framework
and some selected policies need to be
subjected to SEA
The vision should guide the implementation of
ODMP as well as other plans and programmes
DEA to carry out a study to determine the nonuse
values of the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> <strong>Ramsar</strong> site
(ODRS).
The wise use scenario to be adopted for future
economic development in the ODRS
The communication strategy to be used to
guide the communication programme