Letlhakeng Nature Reserve makes inroads in ecotourism

Community engagement critical to conservation awareness and capacitation - Minister Kereng

Residents of Letlhakeng and surrounding areas are hopeful that the Letlhakeng Nature Reserve will not only create a few more jobs but also improve the economic prospects of those who live in the Kweneng region. The nature reserve is set to be a diamond pinnacle of conservation and eco- tourism in the area. It is established with the support of Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism, and Local Government and Rural Development, spearheaded by the Motlhware Community Trust.

The goal of the project is to develop a 900 hectares recreational park on the south of Letlhakeng, to focus on conservation and eco- tourism. It also strives to bolster rural development efforts and inculcate a culture of sustainable development through the implementation of natural resource management. The nature reserve, which has started operations after getting funding of a little over P2 million by Government, boasts an array of wild animals, birdlife and cultural sites. The Letlhakeng- based Motlhware community trust is focused on land management, conservation of natural resources ( flora and fauna) and historical sites across the village. Members of the Community Trust last year took part in a training workshop by the Department of Environmental Affairs for beneficiaries of the National Environment Fund, with the objective to help members to develop an action plan for the implementation of the project, develop a monitoring and evaluation framework and also conduct a risk analysis and plan for sustainability of outcomes. Letlhakeng Nature Reserve project coordinator Max Mokhowe told Botswana Guardian that developments are at an advanced stage and they have already started operations, hinting that the official opening will probably be in a month or two. He said they are only left with completing the structure of the gatehouse, but hastened to note that this has not stopped people from coming as many are already showing interest in the facility, which lies adjacent to the village on the south, along the road to Moramusi. Mokhowe said the nature reserve has a large birdlife presence and also boasts zebra, impala, gemsbok, wildebeest and leopards among others. He noted that they had conceptualised an eco- tourism model that would inculcate conservation as well as animal protection models, and are optimistic that community members and guests would appreciate these efforts. Their hope is that community members would also play a key role in maximising opportunities in efforts to not only protect ecosystems and learn to love and protect the environment and wildlife, but to also diversify economic activities in the village and surrounding areas, considering that conservation and cultural tourism is also a lucrative venture, with Botswana tourism sector contributing 13 percent of the country’s GDP. Member of Parliament for Takatokwane Tshoganetso Leuwe has reiterated that public awareness and education is key in order to get local communities to better appreciate how they can tap into the resources in their environment to find different means of income- generating avenues.

Conservation plays a key role in incomegenerating avenues, particularly through tourism, for many communities in Botswana, particularly those that have an abundance of natural flora and fauna. He said many communities have benefited from them and have created model eco- tourism systems, however poor training can sometimes impede efforts. Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism, Philda Kereng, this week told Parliament that there is a recurring challenge of lack of capacity among individuals elected to lead and be part of community trusts. She acknowledged certain community trusts that are performing well such as Motlhware, Khwai, Okvanago and Mabubube, which she said others should emulate, adding that this “requires intervention on education and training to capacitate communities and leaders on ways to identify and implement sustainable conservation practices that create economic returns.”