Okavango Delta Management Plan - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Strategic Object 1.3: To raise public awareness, enhance knowledge and create a platform for information exchange and learning
about the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong>.
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Access to public/private
media
Some level of outreach
programmes in place
ODMP Communication
strategy in place
Funds available to support
implementation of the
communication strategy for
two years.
106
Limited coverage by radio,
electronic and print media
Inadequate coverage of
communications
infrastructure
Limitation of certain
communication tools (e.g
kgotla)
Accessibility to certain parts
of the area
Inadequate skilled
communication personnel
Presence of Public Relations officers
in government departments
Presence of NGOs and CBOs to
facilitate communication
High national and international
profile of the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong>
Trans-boundary river basin forms the
basis for engaging with other riparian
states
Mistrust
Low literacy level
HIV and AIDS
Sustainability of funds for
communication
Lack of buy-in of the
communication strategy by
riparian states
A major strength with the regulatory framework is that there is a good coverage of
legislative instruments such as multi-lateral environmental agreements, acts,
policies, plans and strategies. The major weakness is that some of these have gaps
in terms of addressing environmental issues, whilst others are conflicting as well
as limited enforcement. The greatest challenge is that of getting commitment from
government institutions to harmonise these legislative instruments.
In terms of raising public awareness on the importance of wise use of the
<strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> ecosystem, some institutions have outreach programmes and in
addition a two year fully funded communication strategy is in place. There are
opportunities for collaboration with other riparian states through the OKACOM
process. Though the OKACOM agreement is in place, the challenge is the buy-in of
the riparian states as well as uncertainties about of OKACOM. Another challenge is
the sustainability of the continued engagement of stakeholders at all levels in
terms of availability of manpower and financial resources in the long term.
4.3.2 BIO-PHYSICAL SWOT ANALYSIS
The analysis is given in Table 4-2. In summary, the environmental profile for the
bio-physical sub-system reflects that the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> is almost in a pristine
state. The conservation status of the <strong>Delta</strong> can be enhanced through enforcement
of existing legislative instruments especially in non-protected areas, and the
opportunities provided by existing multi-lateral environmental agreements as well
as building upon traditional conservation knowledge within communities in the
<strong>Delta</strong>. There is also the need to ensure that environmental management plans are
developed and implemented through the provisions of the EIA Act of 2005.
A major gap in the conservation and rehabilitation of the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> natural
resources is the understanding of the dynamics of the ecosystem. There is a need
to enhance the capacity of those institutions dedicated to management of specific
abiotic and biotic features to collect baseline information as well as implement the
existing <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> research strategy.