Okavango Delta Management Plan - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

1.3 THE NEED FOR A MANAGEMENT PLAN
The existing diverse and complex nature of the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> in terms of its natural
resources, its wide range of users and uses, its multiple managers (both in and outside
government and including communities) and an array of national laws, policies and
guidelines as well as regional and international conventions, agreements and protocols are
all factors that dictate the need for an integrated management planning process for the
<strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong>.
While the ultimate goal of the plan is sustainable use of the <strong>Delta</strong> natural resources, it
should at the same time be aligned with the expectations of the national development goals
articulated through the District Development <strong>Plan</strong>s and National Development <strong>Plan</strong>s as well
as Vision 2016. The plan, once adopted, should thus align sector policies, legislation
strategies, etc., in such a way that the long-term ecological functioning of the <strong>Delta</strong> is
ensured.
1.4 LEGISLATIVE, POLICY AND PLANNING FRAMEWORK
The context of the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> <strong>Management</strong> <strong>Plan</strong> is defined within the framework of
national vision, legislations, policies, plans and strategies; regional protocols and
international conventions. The most noteworthy instruments which have provisions for the
development of the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> <strong>Management</strong> <strong>Plan</strong> are described in Table 1-1 to Table
1-3.
1.4.1 NATIONAL FRAMEWORK
Table 1-1: National legislative and regulatory framework within which the ODMP is being
developed
Instrument Year Objective Relevance
“National Vision 2016:
Towards Prosperity for
All”.
Legislative instruments
Environmental Impact
Assessment Act
Wildlife Conservation
and National Parks Act
Forest Act
Fish Protection Act
Tourism Act
Water Act
2
1997 This document sets out the
Government of Botswana's long-term
vision of the achievement of kagisano,
or social harmony.
2005 The Act provides for environmentally
sound policies, programmes and
projects
1992 The Act provides for the conservation
and management of the wildlife of
Botswana
1976 The Act provides for the regulation
and protection of forests and forest
products in Botswana
1975 This Act provides for the effective
regulation, control, protection and
improvement of fish and fishing in
Botswana
1992 The Act makes provision for regulating
of the tourism industry with regard to
promoting its development and well
being
1968 The Act regulates the management
and use of water resources within
Botswana
The national vision has recognised the urgent need for
the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> Environmental Master <strong>Plan</strong>,
realising the complex and fragile nature of the
<strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> ecosystem.
The <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> is a complex and sensitive
ecosystem hence environmental impacts of any policy,
plan, programme or development project should be
assessed to ensure that there minimal disturbance to
the system
Several sites (in the Moremi Game Reserve and a
number of Wildlife <strong>Management</strong> Areas in the
<strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> <strong>Ramsar</strong> Site) are protected under this
act.
The ODRS is blessed with high abundance of
vegetation resources in this case the forest resources.
Fisheries is a very important sector within the ODRS.
Fish resources are key in the subsistence, sport or
angling fishery and commercial sectors. The sector is
riddled with resource use conflicts.
The <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> is a major tourism destination in
Botswana with the majority of leisure tourists coming
to Botswana to see and experience the <strong>Delta</strong>. Tourism
is a major economic activity within the ODRS
The major driver of the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> ecosystem is
water. The use and management of water has great
influence on the maintenance and sustenance of the
<strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong>.