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Environmental Conservation For People And Planet With Somarelang Tikologo
Environmental Conservation For People And Planet With
SOMARELANG TIKOLOGO
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By Lorraine Kinnear
Human existence is practically impossible in the absence of a healthy ecosystem. A healthy ecosystem is composed of living and non-living things and their interactions within a natural habitat. Environmental conservation has emerged as a critical issue that should be addressed to combat climate change and global warming. Sustainable development is the only way to save our planet from the dire consequences of industrialization and other harmful human activities. ABOUT SOMARELANG TIKOLOGO Somarelang Tikologo (ST), Environment Watch Botswana, is a member-based environmental Non-Governmental-Organisation (NGO) located in Gaborone. The organisation's principal aim is to promote sustainable environmental protection by educating, demonstrating, and encouraging best practices in environmental planning, resource conservation, and waste management. Somarelang Tikologo, like many NGOs in Botswana, works with a small team of staff and volunteer members that undertake numerous environmental conservation activities throughout Botswana. The name Somarelang Tikologo means to "Protect the Planet."
In 1991 three lecturers at the University of Botswana founded Somarelang Tikologo (ST) out of concern for Gaborone's unkempt environment. During the first year the partners conducted Somarelang Tikologo activities from their offices. It was not until 1994 that Somarelang Tikologo became an official society. In March 1995, the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held, at which the first Executive Committee was elected, and membership fees were set. Somarelang Tikologo currently has
– Dalai Lama.
over 500 individual members, 50 corporate members, and 22 life members who support its network in Botswana. The office operates a daily Environmental Resource Centre, and publications include fact sheets, newsletters, workshop proceedings, educational materials, and strategic partnerships that contribute to the nation's environmental conservation research, development, and recommendations.
The vision of the organisation's founders is now being executed by the Business Manager, Boniface Oriedo Olubayo, and his dedicated staff and volunteer members. Olubayo shares that the organisation is inclined to promote a circular economy that requires that its operation aligns itself with the idea of driving environmental impact through various economic activities. Unpacking the structure of the organisation, Olubayo said, "ST is organised into four subcommittees: environmental planning, resource conservation, waste management, and public relations and fund-raising. There are nearly 100 members and donors in the entire organisation, and among them are government agencies, banks, private companies, and multinational corporations."
DRIVING SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT The core areas of focus at Somarelang Tikologo are waste resource management, environmental planning, and resource conservation. "We started from humble beginnings. We first started operations as a registered society from a stall structure that was directly opposite an open space that also operated as a dumping site. We were then able to rehabilitate the site into what is currently The Ecological Park in Extension 5, Gaborone. We have essentially highlighted the idea that the planet can be restored to serve both people and the planet," explained Olubayo. The other areas of focus at SK include stormwater harvesting, tree planting, land rehabilitating, and other related activities that ensure the long-term and sustainable use of resources.
PEOPLE-FOCUS The planet, people, and progress conversations make for a perfectly balanced tripartite relationship, that is to say, the planet heavily relies on people's contribution to restore it. Gaborone's Ecological Park is one of ST's most prominent and successful projects. The Park officially opened in 2002 and continues to serve as a refreshing place of retreat for locals and tourists alike. It also serves as a higher education facility that introduces visitors to simple but effective resource conservation and waste management technologies. The Park was created to inspire people to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. The facilities are extensive and exceptional, transforming a once-idle open space into an oasis of eco-friendly technologies.
In the Park, there is a wide array of activities that one can explore. The Green Shop sells a unique assortment of products made from natural or recycled materials, such as jewellery, hats, mats, bags, aprons, waste bins, children's mobiles, and desert fruit sweets and snacks. The Ecological Park was created to support local economies in a way that would also drive environmental conservation. "ST supports the local creative and art industries by retailing hand-crafted eco-friendly crafts made by local artisans. Supporting local economies that are in line with our mandates means that we contribute to a circular economy," detailed Olubayo. He further shared that they proactively empower people through education, engaging with policymakers to develop programs, and use resources in a way that would be ideal for both people and the planet.
PLANET FOCUS Understanding the role of human activity on the planet, Somarelang Tikologo sees this as an opportunity to redirect efforts to drive economic progress while ensuring planetary protection. Oluwayo acknowledges that ST understands the mammoth task before them, "As an organisation that is aimed at improving the quality of Botswana's environment, we currently have various sites for collecting waste such as The Ecological Park, and Sebele, and we look forward to growing our reach throughout the nation. This is one of many activities that we engage in with the hope that this will create a snowball effect on Batswana, and each household, individual, and organisation will understand the importance of using any resource."
To educate Batswana about the importance of conservation of resources, the Somarelang Tikologo Resource Conservation Sub-committee conducts demonstration projects at schools and nationwide through awareness-raising campaigns. Popular educational topics include increasing the efficiency in which resources are used and ensuring equity in the benefits derived from using said resources. Botswana has yet to enact legislation governing the collection of recyclable materials. As a result, the waste level is substantially high. Somarelang Tikologo promotes the internationally renowned Waste Management Hierarchy of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle to achieve safe and proper landfill disposal with a focus on drawing up circular economies. This waste management strategy aims to conserve and protect limited and fragile natural resources and maintain a healthy and clean environment conducive to sustainable development.
ST has a Recycling Center on-site where Gaborone residents can drop off recyclable materials. Plastics and glass are trucked to recycling facilities in South Africa after being sorted, and all paper products are trucked to recycling facilities in Zimbabwe. Through their strategic partnerships and alliances, the organisation organises the smooth movement of recyclable materials from organisations such as Kgalagadi Beverages Trust and recently, The Coca-Cola Foundation. Olubayo concluded by explaining that all relevant partnerships are in place to ensure that the work will continue to be substantial. "We have signed memorandums of understanding with several organisations such as the Gaborone City Council, Department of Waste Management and Pollution Control, Department of Environmental Affairs and Forestry concerning various aspects of our work. Through these partnerships and alliances we continue to drive impact for the greater good of the planet and people."
