Clean Botswana
the Society unlike the previous plans that focused on wildlife conservation. This approach has broadened KCS’s scope of work and is better placed to implement transboundary projects and various large scale projects in natural resources management.
The aims and objectives of the Kalahari Conservation Society are: • To conserve Botswana’s wildlife resources and their habitats. • To leverage the economic value of wildlife and natural resources for the prosperity of all, especially rural people that reside in wildlife-rich localities. • To breed a generation of environmentally conscious citizens who strive for a healthy balance between human wellbeing (of present and future generations) and healthy ecosystems.
The following are KCS’s major strengths: • • • • • • •
Committed and active board; Successful lobbying and advocacy; Membership based; Diversified programme of conservation projects; Networking with a variety of stakeholders; Maintaining financial security; Offering areas of comparative advantage in development; • Responsible biodiversity conservation programmes.
Milestone Achievements in the Last 30 Years In order to achieve its mission and vision, aims and objectives, KCS facilitates or contributes to wise decision-making concerning bio-diversity protection and the sustainable utilisation of natural resources through professional advice, participation in policy formulation, research, advocacy and public environmental education.
The second phase of Every River began with a basinwide forum formation and entailed basin-wide workshops aimed at information sharing, community based natural resources management and overall participatory development on trans-boundary initiatives. The project was sponsored by Swedish SIDA and offshoots of the project, such as the Basin-wide Forum, continue to operate under new projects. Examples of new projects are the Southern African Regional Environmental Program (SAREP) and The Future of The Okavango (TFO) ending in 2015. These are strengthening community institutions and implementing livelihoods programmes across the basin.
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The KCS is the oldest environmental NGO in Botswana.
Ecological Zoning of the Okavango Delta The Ecological Zoning of the Okavango Delta project undertaken by KCS in 1988 provided very detailed knowledge of all aspects of the Delta and a sound foundation for future land-use planning. The objective was to define areas, which require complete protection because of unique assemblages of animals and plants, and areas of recreational subsistence use, such as fishing, hunting and photographic tourism. The information was useful to the development of the Okavango Development Management Plan.
Management Plans for Game Reserves and National Parks KCS raised funds and participated in the development of Management Plans for Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park in 1992 and 1993, respectively. The Society also assisted in the development of the Management Plan for the Gaborone Game Reserve (GGR) and raised funds for the building of the GGR Education Centre.
Every River Has Its People Project (Every River) Every River was a transboundary natural resource management project between Botswana, Angola and Namibia, under the management of KCS. The first phase ended in January 2004 and the second phase commenced in March 2004 and ended in February 2007. In the first phase socio-ecological surveys culminated in a working document encapsulating the future for comanagement programmes in basin-wide management of the Okavango River.
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