Okavango Delta Management Plan - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

2.1.2.2 Size and boundary
The boundary of the ODRS (Figure 2-2)were rationalised in 2004 based on ecological,
hydrological and land use features (ODMP – <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> <strong>Ramsar</strong> Site Revision Report,
2004). The size of the ODRS is 55 374km2 which places it amongst the larger <strong>Ramsar</strong> sites
globally. The area of permanent swamp covers approximately 6000 km2, while the seasonal
swamp varies between about 4000 and 10,000 km2 in size, depending on the size of the
flood each year (ODMP – Integrated Hydrological Modelling Report, 2006).
2.1.3 LEGAL STATUS AND RIGHTS
2.1.3.1 Ownership
Ownership of the land within which the ODRS falls is defined by the land tenure systems in
Botswana (Figure 2-3). There are three land tenure systems, namely, Tribal (Communal)
Land; State Land (includes most of the Protected Areas (PAs) and Forest Reserves) and
Freehold Land. It is important to note that the only state land in the ODRS is NG 41 within
which Mababe settlement is located (Figure 2-3). 95.4% of the land falls under the Tribal
Land Tenure system, while the remaining 4.6% constitutes State Land (NDSS, 2003). There
is no Freehold Land in the ODRS.
2.1.3.2 Legal Rights
Tribal land which is communally owned is held in trust for communities by the Tawana
Land Board (TLB), which performs land management functions in accordance with the
provisions of the Tribal Land Act of 1968.
Usage rights to land under the Tribal Land Tenure systems are either granted communally
or to individuals. Land under tribal ownership is never sold and as such land transactions
are only for the sake of improvements or development on land. Allocations of tribal land in
the project area are made by TLB on customary law grant or common law grant basis.
Under customary law grant, land allocations are made only to citizens of Botswana for
residential, arable and borehole purposes. Though allotees cannot assume perpetual rights
to such land, most often, they assume such rights, and pass on their titles to their
children. Residential plots are issued a lease period of 99 years. Common law grants on the
other hand, can be made to citizens and non-citizens alike, for commercial, tourism and
industrial developments on a 50 year lease basis.
With regards to State Land, the Department of Lands holds and administers the land on
behalf of the Government. State land allocation is on Fixed Period State Grant (FPSG) and
Certificate of Rights (CoR) basis. FPSG is granted on a lease basis with the period of grant
varying according to the land use, with industrial and commercial land being leased for a
period of 50 years, while residential land use is leased for 99 years.
2.1.3.3 Site Status
Following Botswana's accession to the <strong>Ramsar</strong> <strong>Convention</strong>, the <strong>Okavango</strong> was listed and
designated as a <strong>Ramsar</strong> Site in 1997. Within the ODRS are the Tsodilo Hills which are a
World Heritage Site.
The site comprises the Moremi Game Reserve and Wildlife <strong>Management</strong> Areas (WMA) and
Communal Areas. The communal areas are further subdivided into smaller and more
specific categories that include settlements, arable lands and grazing areas.
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