Okavango Delta Management Plan - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

No. <strong>Management</strong> Area Key issues Key Activities Status and documentation Recommendations
3 Research, data
management and
participatory
planning
4 Hydrology & water
resources
88
Information on the <strong>Delta</strong> is
scattered, formats are not
standardized and many data are not
easily accessible.
In addition, uncoordinated research
activities and limited use of
indigenous data for planning will
lead to research results that are
unsystematic and less useful for
planning.
Limited participation of local
communities in the planning and
implementation of rural development
interventions leaves room for
improvement and would require
specific attention in a project of such
magnitude as the ODMP.
Limited understanding of current
hydrological and future impacts of
hydrological changes
Development of a
comprehensive and
user friendly data and
information
management system
for development and
implementation of
ODMP.
Improvement of a
library service
Development of the
ODRS research
strategy
Engagement of
stakeholders through
participatory process
Develop hydrological
model.
The <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> Information system (ODIS) was
developed and is operational (ODMP – Data
<strong>Management</strong> Report, 2006, ODMP – ODIS Technical
Report, ODMP – ODIS Evaluation Report)
Books, publications and literature on the <strong>Okavango</strong>
<strong>Delta</strong> <strong>Ramsar</strong> Site were acquired.
The HOORC library was upgraded to accommodate
these additional materials on the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong>
<strong>Ramsar</strong> Site.
Additional library staff was recruited by the University
of Botswana.
A research strategy detailing with the research gaps
and priority areas for research was developed. (ODMP
– Research Strategy, 2006)
Series of kgotla meetings and workshops were held to
engage communities and the private sector as well as
district and national authorities (ODMP – Proceedings
of the Kgotla Meetings, 2004, ODMP – Community
Consultation and Feedback Report, 2004, Proceedings
of the Shakawe Workshop, 2005, Proceedings of the
Gumare Workshop, ODMP – Proceedings of the
Inception Workshop, 2004, Proceedings of the
Framework Workshop, 2005, Proceedings of the Draft
<strong>Management</strong> <strong>Plan</strong> Workshop, 2006)).
An integrated hydrological model has been developed
and was used to analyse water resources scenarios
(ODMP – Integrated Hydrological Model, 2006, ODMP
– Analysis of Water Resources Scenarios, 2006)
The database should be updated regularly
through periodic data input from the users.
There is need to have data quality controls in
place. Most of the existing data have a lot of
quality issues.
ODIS training or refresher sessions need to be
a carried out continually to encourage/motivate
the users to use the application effectively.
The ODIS accessibility to be improved through
internet access
HOORC library should be a repository for all
documents on the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong>
Development of an action plan to operationalise
the research strategy
Establishment of an ODRS Research Advisory
Group
Undertake research in priority areas.
Participatory process should be continued
during the implementation of the plan and
HOORC to provide the services at a cost
recovery on a need basis.
The impacts of water development on the <strong>Delta</strong>
should be communicated to concerned parties
from local communities through government
organizations to OKACOM representatives in
order to jointly come up measures to mitigate
adverse impacts.