Government to announce trophy hunting verdict Soon

Posted by Botswana Safari News on May 03, 2019 | No comments

Decision on Hunting expected early May 

Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism Kitso Mokaila has revealed that a dicision on trophy hunting ban should be expected on early May. He made this revelation when addressing Ngamiland Community Trusts at Cresta Maun.

Mokaila told the trust that the decision will follow nationwide consultation on hunting ban and the consequent report subimmited to cabinet. He said some of the recommendations on the report have been adopted but not everything has been adopted. He explained that should they reinstate hunting it will be conducted ethically. He expressed concern over the views of some foreign operators for likening to reintroduction of hunting to ‘a blood law.’ He said if left unchecked this can affect Botswana tourism sector.

Mokaila also affirmed that the controversial Tourism Land Bank has been scrapped off.  Prime tourism lands returned to the Land Boards – which fall under the Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Resources. As part of the change, Ministry of Lands will further be responsible for tourism concessions which are located in state lands such as Mababe. Mokaila said his ministry will only be involved in the tender adjudication in respect of concessions in state land.

Mokaila explained that he has already met with the Tawana Land Board on the issue.  The head lease for the concessions will be with land boards while sub leases will be granted to the communities.

Part of the changes will also see community trusts being paid directly by the tour operators. Leases, which will now be signed between the tourism operators and community trusts.

Mokaila further vowed that government will strengthen governance, accountability and transparency within Trusts and. He said the trusts have to be capacitated on business management and planning principles training. Mokaila explained that they are developing a CBNRM Act to provide legislation for the government to enforce compliance with the operating standards.

In 2014, all prime tourism concession areas in Botswana including the Okavango Delta were transferred from Land Boards to then Ministry of Lands and Housing through a ministerial directive to create what came to be known as the tourism land bank.

Deputy Permanet Secretary in the ministry , Felix Monggae told the meeting that a CBNRM support Association for Botswana (CSABO) will be formed to among other things capacittae the communities.

According to Monggae CSABO will take over for incubation all malfunctioning community trusts until the time the boards have capacity to take over.