The Executive Director of Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (NCONGO), Siyoka Simasiku, has called on the government of Botswana to provide them with consistent funding for sustenance in addressing issues of community based natural resources management (CBNRM).

Development Diaries learnt that while making this request before Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Wildlife, Tourism, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, Simasiku said the organisation had a membership of more than 40, of which 18 were community trusts.

He said that many of the trusts were from Ngamiland, adding that there was a need to change the policy and ensure they benefited more.

Simasiku also complained about restrictive access to conservation funds, noting that the National Environment Fund (NEF) generated income from Ngamiland district, but many trusts were finding it difficult to benefit from the fund.

The chairperson of the committee, Polson Majaga, said that the meetings were necessitated by public concerns, hence they found its feet to have consultative meetings with trusts and assist in addressing pertinent issues.

At the end of the meetings, Majaga said they would develop a comprehensive report, which would be tabled before the next parliament session.

He noted that the tourism industry played a key role in the growth of the national economy, hence the need to address issues faced by operators and the communities residing in tourism areas.

A member of the committee, Dumelang Saleshando, advised NCONGO to prioritise issues for purpose of accountability and feedback.

Source: Botswana Daily News

Photo source: Howard Lake