TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.



Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of
the Botswana Portion of the Okavango
River Basin

Land Use Planning

Lapologang Magole
Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre
July 2009




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TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.


Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the Botswana Portion
of the Okavango River Basin.

Land use planning


Consultant:
Dr. Lapologang Magole,
Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre,
University of Botswana.

Final report


July 2009


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TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Major Trans-boundary issues arising from this
report.

"There is an urgent need to carry out an integrated
environmental study to obtain data that could be used to
form an Okavango Delta master plan. Such a plan must
be sensitive to the socio ­ economic needs and
development of the communities in the Delta whilst
exploiting the immense tourism potential. There are
additional risks to the inflow of water in the Okavango
Delta that require joint management with
neighbouring states" Long-term Vision for Botswana
(1997)

As highlighted in the 2016 vision clause above, prudent use of the Okavango delta
resources is of national, regional and international importance. The Okavango delta
is a complex and sensitive eco-hydrological system which requires wise
management and use to ensure its sustainability. Management of the resource is
complicated by the fact that it supports multiple stakeholders in a transboudary
setting. It is therefore unavoidable and advised that planning and use decisions
consider these important variables.

Through local, national and international effort the ODMP process produced a land
use plan guided by the following principles:

1. Land use capability and land use conflict resolution: Land use
conflicts are a major concern in the Delta. Conflicts exist between wildlife
conservation and communal agricultural use and between tourism and other
uses. Conflicts therefore require urgent attention as they threaten the
conservation of the resources.
2. Safeguarding of livelihood strategies and promotion of economic
growth: High poverty levels are an issue in Ngamiland. It is therefore
important that the plan and or land use zoning promotes access to resources
by the poor while at the same time encouraging investment for economic
growth and employment creation.
3. Compliance with national and international policies and
conventions: The Okavango Delta is a Ramsar site, hence a wetland of
international importance which should be conserved accordingly. It is
therefore required that any land use zoning does not jeopardize the
conservation of this resource. There are also national ideals for the
conservation of the Okavango delta as outlined in the vision 2016 clause
quoted above.
4. Ecological and environmental considerations: The complexity of the
Okavango delta as an ecological system is known and acknowledged as a
planning consideration. It was therefore requested that the land use zoning
adopted be environmentally sensitive.
The final decision for land use zoning from the ODMP process is shown by Maps 5 &
6 below. The plans promote sustainable use in the areas of agriculture and tourism.


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TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

They recommend that development take advantage of the land suitability and water
availability in some areas to enhance agricultural production and rural livelihoods
(see Map 5). Map 6 presents an option that maximizes the scenic and wilderness
properties of the Okavango delta by increasing tourism activity. The highlight of this
land use development is its recommendation for the utilization of Moremi Game
Reserve.
While the land use decisions were taken with local resources needs, use and
conservation in mind, there is need to also take inventory of regional development
needs and reconcile them with local (Ngamiland) ones. This is important because
land use decisions made for the development of the Okavango Delta area require
that the Delta remain as pristine as it currently is. Needless to say, maintaining the
pristine nature of the Delta requires cooperation of other riparian states in the
Okavango River basin. There are several ways of fostering such cooperation. Basin
wide planning and consultation is one of them. This was embraced to some extend
during the ODMP but albeit to a limited consultative extend. It would be useful for
stakeholders to be engaged in a process of collective planning and decision making
across the basin, perhaps under the leadership and guidance of OKACOM. The
second way to foster cooperation for the preservation of the Okavango delta is to
deliberately facilitate benefit sharing from development of the basin components.
Botswana has a well developed tourism industry which it intends to develop further. If
the creativity and attendant benefits from this industry can be scaled up to the rest of
the basin that could promote an interest by all the riparian states to preserve the
Delta.




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TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.


TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Major Transboundary issues arising from this report. ................. 3
1 INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL BACKGROUND .................................................................. 6
2 EXISTING LAND USES AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ...................................................... 7
2.1 Prevailing Land Tenure System ....................................................................................... 7
2.2 Existing land uses and practices ...................................................................................... 8
3
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCED THE LAND USE PLANNING PROCESS ............................. 14
3.1 Socioeconomic conditions and population characteristics .......................................... 14
3.1.1 Impacts of population characteristics on sustainable utilisation of land and other
natural resources ................................................................................................................. 14
3.2 Land Management Practices ......................................................................................... 15
3.3 Land utilisation potential ­ suitability ........................................................................... 16
4.0 LAND USE ZONING ......................................................................................................... 18
4.1 Land use planning and recommendations .................................................................... 18
4.2 Preferred land use options ............................................................................................ 18
4.3 Conclusion and planning implications ........................................................................... 20
References ........................................................................................................................... 21
TABLE OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1 MAP 1: NGAMILAND DISTRICT LAND TENURE .................................... 7
FIGURE 2 MAP 2: NGAMILAND DISTRICT CURRENT LAND USE ZONES ............ 9
FIGURE 3 MAP 3: SOIL SUITABILITY ..................................................................... 17
FIGURE 4 MAP 4: PROPOSED LAND USE ZONING 1 .......................................... 19
FIGURE 5 MAP 5: PROPOSED LAND USE ZONING 2. ......................................... 20

TABLE OF TABLES

TABLE 1: EXISTING BROAD LAND USE CATEGORIES IN NGAMILAND (2009) ... 8
TABLE 2: LIST AND DETAILS OF CHAS IN THE ODRS ........................................ 12


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TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

1 INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL BACKGROUND

The Okavango Delta covers an area of about 12000 Km2 and receives an average of
15 billion cubic meters of water every year. 95% of this water is lost through
evaporation (Wolski et.al, 2005). A population of more than 120,000 people,
consisting largely of Bayei, Hambukushu, Herero, Batawana, Basarwa and
Bakgalagadi ethnic groups are found in villages that lie on the fringes of the Delta
(DEA, 2008). The Okavango Delta like other wetlands is a resource rich hub in terms
of water, fish, wildlife, forest resources, minerals and other resources. The main land
use in the Delta is tourism and wildlife management in the form of Moremi Game
Reserve and the Kwando and Okavango Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
surrounding the Moremi Game reserve. It is estimated that about 100,000 tourists
pass through the Okavango Delta every year and both consumptive and non-
consumptive tourism activities are the main economic activities in the area. Tourism
in the Okavango and Chobe areas makes up most of the 7% that is the contribution
of tourism towards the country's GDP.

The Government of Botswana ratified the convention on wetlands­The Ramsar
Convention, and thus became a contracting party to the convention on the 4th of April
1997. Consequently the Okavango Delta was listed as a Ramsar site and wetland of
international importance. The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) was
assigned the responsibility of ensuring preparation of a management plan for the
site. The Okavango Delta Management Plan (ODMP) project was developed as a
means "to integrate natural resource management for the Okavango Delta Ramsar
site that will ensure its long term conservation, and will also provide benefits for the
present and future well being of the people, through sustainable use of its natural
resources" (ODMP Project Proposal, 2002).

The Okavango Delta Management Plan is an integrated plan which draws together
various natural resources sector components into an overarching planning
framework for the sustainable utilisation, conservation and management of the
resources of the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site (ODRS). As a planning strategy
twelve sector components were established to contribute in drawing up the plan.
Tawana Land Board (TLB) which is the District land authority, in association with the
District Land Use Planning Unit (DLUPU) had the institutional responsibility for the
land use planning and land management component. TLB worked under the
supervision and direction of the component task force (reference group), the
Wetlands Management Committee (OWMC); ODMP project steering committee; and
the ODMP project secretariat in Maun. The land use and land management plan
essentially aims at establishing regulations, guidelines, land use proposals and
programmes that will regulate the use of land; guide land management and zone the
Ramsar site into distinct land use zones. It is a 24-year comprehensive land use and
land management plan. The Okavango Delta Ramsar site covers approximately 60%
of Ngamiland District. Planning for the entire District was carried out by the
Department of Lands in 2008/2009. This planning exercise endorsed the ODMP land
use proposals and carried on the conservation theme by proposing additional wildlife
use. The ODMP land use and land management plan for the ODRS was further
hamonised with the Ngamiland Tourism Development plan (NTDP). This was so
because the two plans were diverging from one another instead of maximising the
tourism potential of the ODRS.





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TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

2 EXISTING LAND USES AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

2.1 Prevailing Land Tenure System

Before the colonial period, the whole of Botswana was made up of communal/tribal
land. However, when Botswana became a British protectorate, two additional tenure
categories were introduced, namely crown land and freehold land. After the country
gained independence, these three land tenure systems were retained. Thus,
Botswana now has three land tenure systems, namely, tribal (communal) land; state
land (former crown land) and freehold land. Tribal land constitutes 71 percent of all
land in the country, while state land covers 23 percent and freehold land makes up 6
percent. According to the Ngamiland integrated land use and land management plan
(2009), 79.3 percent of the land fall under tribal land tenure system, while 20.7
percent constitute state land tenure system. There is no freehold land in Ngamiland
(see Map 1). The main distinctions in these land tenure systems are in their title
holdings and authorities responsible for their administration. Tribal land is
communally owned and is held in trust for communities by the Tawana Land Boards.
The tribal land Act of 1968 is the principal instrument used to administer land use in
the district, whilst the state land Act is used in the last 20% of the district.. The
Department of Lands in the Ministry of Lands and Housing holds and administers
state land on behalf of the Government using the state land Act.


Figure 1 Map 1: Ngamiland District land tenure




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TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.


2.2 Existing land uses and practices

Existing land uses and land management activities in Ngamiland are largely a
reflection of the area's natural resources endowment which gravitates around the
attributes of the Okavango Delta and its associated wetlands. The Okavango River
or rather water availability, soils, and vegetation have contributed significantly to the
distribution of the human population and their related activities. The broad land use
zones comprise communal areas, game reserve and national parks, wildlife
management areas (WMA) and the wetlands associated with the delta. These broad
categories, particularly communal areas are further subdivided into smaller and more
specific categories which include settlements, arable lands and grazing areas. The
other land use form in WMA is both non-consumptive and consumptive wildlife
utilization.
Table1 below shows the land use up-take for the broad land use categories identified
above, while Map 2 shows the land use zones in Ngamiland.
Table 1: Existing broad land use categories in Ngamiland (2009)

Land Use Category
Area (km2)
% of Total Area
Communal Areas, Settlements,
54040
49.6
Arable and Pastoral Agricultural
Ranches 9394
8.6
Game Reserves and National
8260
7.5
Parks
Wildlife Management Areas
37501
34.3
Total
109195
100



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TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.


Figure 2 Map 2: Ngamiland District current land use zones

Agriculture
The dominant land uses in communal areas are arable agriculture, pastoral
agriculture and settlements. Arable agriculture, including dryland, and molapo
farming, is widely practiced by communities living within and in the fringes of the
Delta. Settlements around Etsha villages and those on both sides of the Panhandle
are well known for dryland farming. Molapo farming is associated with communities
around the southern parts of the Okavango delta where both maize and sorghum are
cultivated (Bendsen, 2003). There is a perpetual conflict between agriculture and
wildlife, particularly elephants raiding crops. This occurs especially in the remote
villages in the southeastern Panhandle where communities ploughing fields are
located within elephants migratory corridors. Conflict also exists between livestock
and predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas. The Botswana
Government established a compensation scheme for farmers, whose crops and
livestock are destroyed by wildlife. From consultative meetings with communities, the
general complaint is that the compensations are not adequate and timely. As a result
farmers have not been eager to intensify their arable farming practices and they have
not been amicable to conservation measures proposed by government.. Of the total
48 900 hectares of land cleared for cultivation only 10 000 hectares are cultivated
annually, of which 75 percent is for dryland farming, and 25 percent for molapo
(flood-recession) farming, (Bendsen, 2003).
Pastoral farming is widely practiced in the study area and cattle herds are found at
various cattle posts interspersed with villages and arable fields. Despite a major
setback in the cattle industry that saw the eradication of the entire cattle population
(320, 000) in the district in 1996, there is evidence to suggest that following the
restocking exercise, the cattle herd is once again steadily increasing. The


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TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

development of the pastoral agriculture is greatly limited by availability of water in
areas lying far from the delta. During the ODMP consultative meetings with
communities across the Okavango Delta, communities requested for government
assistance in borehole drilling in the sandveld areas, so as to allow the relocation of
cattle away from the delta. Communities consider such a move vital for the reduction
of the widely reported land use conflicts in and around the Okavango Delta.
Management of the continuous foot and mouth outbreaks has proven to be costly.
There is also a constant struggle with outbreaks of other less frequently occurring
diseases such as the cattle lung disease.
In an effort to minimize the risk and control the spread of livestock diseases, the
Department of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture erected cordon
fences in `strategic' places. The practical purpose of the fences is to:
· Prevent movement of potentially disease carrying livestock
· Prevent the contact between livestock and buffalo which is a carrier of
the foot and mouth virus.
· Prevent the transfer of disease from livestock to wildlife.
· Also as a land use strategy to establish and maintain a foot and mouth
free zone.
In Ngamiland there are seven major disease control fences which were erected at
different periods marking the expansion of the livestock industry. Before
independence the colonial government erected the Makalamabedi cordon fence to
the south east and the Kuke fence on the south of the District to separate the
disease prone Ngamiland district herd from the Ganzi and Central Districts herds.
The southern and northern buffalo fences around the delta were constructed to
curtail migratory movements of Buffaloes in the early 1980s and early 1990s
respectively. The area inside the buffalo fence is a cattle free zone. The fence is also
aimed at preventing contact between buffalo and livestock. This has helped to
promote and encourage both consumptive and non-consumptive tourism activities in
the areas inside the fence. The final set of fences, Samochima, Ikoga and Setata
(see map 2) were erected in 1996 as a control measure for the spread of the cattle
lung disease. These measures have had a significant influence on the current
distribution of cattle in the entire district. Cattle are concentrated in the south west
and southern parts of the district.
Wildlife
The existence of Moremi game reserve, Chobe, Nxai pan and Makgadikgadi national
parks and adjacent Kwando and Okavango WMAs in the District continue to promote
wildlife use and tourism as a significant land use practice in the Okavango Delta. To
this end the WMAs have been divided into smaller segments called controlled
hunting areas (CHAs)(see Map 2). Contolled hunting areas have been turned into
concession are leased to those with interest in wildlife utilization for both
consumptive and non-consumptive




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TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

Forestry
Within the ODRS, there are no areas zoned specifically as Forest Reserve, even
though there are areas rich in woody species such as Mukwa, used for timber
products and carvings. This is one area that should be considered in the preparation
of any proposed land use zoning map.
Quarrying and mining
There are no known sites designated for quarrying for gravel and road construction
aggregates, as well as for sand excavations. As a result these activities take place
indiscriminately in unauthorised locations, particularly in and around major
settlements, around river banks and flood plains. This practice leads to despoilation
of the landscape and environment, and the creation of unrehabilitated burrow pits.
Such areas become undevelopable in the long run. The Tawana Land Board issues
the surface rights with the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy Affairs issuing
licences to mine sand and quarry. There is lack of both compliance and enforcement
of the licences. Hence most quarrying activities are illegal. Currently there are no
mining activities in Ngamiland. However a copper mining project is planned to
commence in the near future about 80kilometres from Maun, South of Toteng village.
The proposed lifespan of the mine is 19 years .It is not expected that mining will
develop into a big industry or a significant land use activity. The EIA of this mine has
recommended that the mine plan for and avail its exit strategy at the start of the
copper production.
Wildlife management areas and other conservation land uses
Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) were initially proposed and delineated as
corridors and breeding areas of wildlife = under the TGLP of 1975. Their
establishment was statutorily supported by the Conservation Policy of 1986
(Government White Paper No 1 of 1986). They further derive legal backing from the
Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act, of 1992. They are located on the
margins of National Parks and Game Reserves where they serve as buffer zones
between incompatible land uses particularly livestock and wildlife. In some cases,
they also serve as migratory corridors for wildlife. Because of their location in wildlife
rich areas, WMAs offer some of the most conducive environment for sustainable
utilization of wildlife resources under the Community Based Natural Resource
Management (CBNRM) program and other commercial natural resources uses.
Thus, unlike parks and game reserves where there is total preservation and
protection of wildlife resources, sustainable utilization of wildlife resources is
encouraged in WMAs.
Land use in Ngamiland is also regulated and defined according to Controlled Hunting
Areas (CHAs) which are located within WMAs. The WMAS derive their legal backing
from Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act, 1992. The significance of CHAs is
to define wildlife utilization throughout the District. The entire district is divided into
fifty-two (52) CHAs (see Table 2).


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TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

Table 2: List and details of CHAs in the ODRS
CHA No.
SIZE (KM2) LESSEE

LAND
CHA TYPE
LAND USE
CHA
TENURE
STATUS
NG/6
184.30
Communal & a
Tribal
Community
Pastoral/
Ungazetted
portion is leased
managed wildlife Arable/Res.
to NMMAG
in livestock area
NG/7
2918.93
Communal
Tribal
Un-designated
Pastoral/
Ungazetted
Arable/Res.
NG/8
4837.00
Communal
Tribal
Un-designated
Pastoral/
Ungazetted
Arable/Res.
NG/9
8388.23
Communal
Tribal
Un-designated
Pastoral/
Ungazetted
Arable/Res.
NG/10
1196.28
Communal
Tribal
Un-designated
Pastoral/
Ungazetted
Arable/Res.
NG/11
4562.31
Teemashane
Tribal
Un-designated
Pastoral/
Ungazetted
Trust
Arable/Res.
NG/12
1091.93
Bakakwe
Tribal
Community
Pastoral/
Ungazetted
Cultural
managed wildlife Arable/Res.
Conservation
in livestock area
Trust
NG/13
2866.83
Tcheku
Tribal
Un-designated
WMA
Gazetted
Community
Trust
NG/14
2285.70
Linyanti
Tribal
Commercial
WMA
Gazetted
Explorations
Wildlife
(Pty) Ltd
Utilisation
(Leasehold)
NG/15
1231.72
Linyanti
Tribal
Commercial
WMA
Gazetted
Investments
Wildlife
(Pty) Ltd
Utilisation
(Leasehold)
NG/16
1343.71
Linyanti
Tribal
Commercial
WMA
Gazetted
Explorations
Wildlife
(Pty) Ltd
Utilisation
(Leasehold)
NG/17
64.88

Tribal
Community
WMA
Gazetted
photographic
area
NG/18
1795.36
Khwai
Tribal
Community
WMA
Gazetted
Community
wildlife utilisation
Trust
(Leasehold)
NG/19
163.89
Khwai
Tribal
Community
WMA
Gazetted
Community
photographic
Trust
area
NG/20
1644.59
Tsum-Tsum
Tribal
Commercial
WMA
Gazetted
Bird Safaris
Wildlife
Utilisation


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TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

(Leasehold)
NG/21
230.06
Xagana, Shindi
Tribal
Commercial
WMA
Gazetted
and Camp
photographic
Okavango
area
NG/22
610.11
Okavango
Tribal
Community
WMA
Gazetted
Community
wildlife utilisation
Trust
(Leasehold)
NG/23A
88.87
Okavango
Tribal
Un-designated
WMA
Ungazetted
Community
Trust
NG/23B
350.84
Okavango
Tribal
Community
WMA
Gazetted
Community
photographic
Trust
area
NG/24
584.12
Okavango
Tribal
Community
WMA
Gazetted
Jakotsha
photographic
Community
area
Trust
NG/25
617.01
Ngamiland
Tribal
Commercial
WMA
Gazetted
Adventure
Wildlife
Safaris
Utilisation
(Leasehold)
NG/26
1693.20
Elephant Back
Tribal
Commercial
WMA
Gazetted
Safaris
Wildlife
Utilisation
(Leasehold)
NG/27A
250.64
Afro Ventures
Tribal
Commercial
WMA
Gazetted
(Pty) Ltd (CC
photographic
Africa) &
area
Kanana
Ventures (Pty)
NG/27B
153.41
Lodges of
Tribal
Commercial
WMA
Gazetted
Botswana (Pty)
photographic
Ltd
area
NG/28
4829.99
Moremi Game
Tribal
Moremi Game
Game
Gazetted
Reserve
Reserve
Reserve


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TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

3
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCED THE LAND USE PLANNING
PROCESS

3.1 Socio-economic conditions and population characteristics

According to the 2001 Census of Population and Housing, there are a total of 18 277
households in the Ramsar Site, of which 8 278 are male headed, while 9 999 are
female headed. This means that in percentage terms, 45.3 percent of the households
are headed by males while 54.7 percent are headed by females. The average
household size is 6.06 persons per household which is higher than the national
average of 4.3 persons in 2001. Ethnic composition of the delta's population is an
important consideration in land management and use planning. The Batawana who
mainly reside in and around Maun are predominantly livestock and dryland farmers.
Livestock farming is the main economic activity of the Herero, and is the major land
use activity in the south west from Toteng, around Lake Ngami, and up to Nokaneng.
The Bayei and Bahambukushu are active in water related types of activities, like
fishing and tourism transportation by mekoro(dugout canoes),. On the other hand,
communities in the northern Panhandle, the Hambukushu population on both banks
of the Panhandle engage in dryland crop farming. The Bayei form the predominant
population in areas of Gumare, Tubu and Shorobe, where flood recession farming is
practiced.


3.1.1 Impacts of population characteristics on sustainable utilisation of
land and other natural resources

Population characteristics obviously have impacts on land and other natural
resources utilization. For the Okavango Delta region whose environment is fragile,
and with population concentrations in dryland fringes of the Okavango Delta, impacts
on land resources manifest in the following ways:

· A growing and youthful population demands for land use zones
to be designated to facilitate investment and employment
creation. Such a population also requires that adequate land
be zoned for such use activities as schools, clinics and
recreational facilities. Hence settlement expansion is a serious
issue for land use planning.

· Highest concentration of population in major villages such as
Maun will intensify land use problems associated with urban
areas, such as illegal occupation of land or squatting; pollution
due to mishandling of waste and others.

· With population distributed mainly in the drylands fringes of the
delta, and with high levels of tourism facilities and activities,
there are obvious impacts on land and other natural resources.
These are in the form of land degradation and pollution as a




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TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

result of creation of many tracks by safari vehicles, littering and
inappropriate disposal of wastes, and tourism activities
impinging heavily on land carrying capacities.

· Growing population and urbanization promotes
commercialization of natural resources and inevitably the
tendency for unsustainable exploitation of these resources.

· With the proliferation and mushrooming of "settlements" which
are ungazetted, there are now incessant calls for the provision
of services to such "settlements". This should be a
consideration in land use planning.

3.2 Land Management Practices

Land management practices in Ngamiland can be classified according to those
implemented at settlement level and those at supra-settlement level. The
recommended land use management practices for both levels are usually contained
in settlement development plans, and land management plans. Currently, plans
prepared at settlement level in the District include the Maun Planning Area
Development Plan, the Gumare Development Plan and the Shakawe-Mohembo
Development Plan which was produced as part of the ODMP. Fifteen more villages
are planned to have layouts prepared and implemented by the end of NDP 10. The
provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act (T&CPA) of 1977 and its related
documents such as the Development Control Code and the Urban Development
Standards inform land use planning and management practices for settlements
declared as planning areas. The T&CPA 1977 empowers the minister to declare any
area in Botswana a planning area. Once declared a planning area, the Act further
requires that a development plan be prepared for such an area. Any development
that takes place in such areas requires planning permission and permission is only
given for developments that conform to the provisions of the plan and the
recommended development, building and design standards. Thus in terms of
settlement plans, conformity with the provisions of the development plan is one of the
land management strategies. Development plans are also prepared as advisory
documents for those settlements that have not yet been declared planning areas.
Plans prepared under these conditions are of an advisory nature and can be used as
tools to promote sustainable development.
Land management practices at the supra-settlement levels are currently guided by
the provisions of plans that cover a specific area within the district, (for example the
Okavango River Panhandle Management Plan, 2001) or the entire district (for
example, the Ngamiland District Settlement Strategy). These stipulate land
management guidelines and regulations which must be adhered to and enforced.
Management plans and guidelines have been prepared for the two Ngamiland
Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) as well as Game Reserves- for example the
Moremi Game Reserve Management Plan. Furthermore, there are WMA regulations
that have been prepare and are yet to be adopted by government. Each one of these
plans spells out how land in a particular area is to be used. The preparation and
enforcement of the provisions of the different plans is the responsibilities of different
institutions operating at district and sub-district levels. Apart from the Tawana Land
Board, the responsibility for implementation and enforcement of settlement plans lies
with North West District Council and other sectoral government departments. In the


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TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

case of plans for WMAs, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks is a key
stakeholder for both the preparation of plans and their implementation.
The various plans and local authorities have played an important role in the
management of specific areas and specific resources. However as development
intensifies, and the need for wise natural resources untilisation becomes eminent, it
is useful and prudent to have an overarching development vision for the entire
District. That is what the integrated District land use and land management plan is
expected to provide. The integrated plan should also present a Delta development
direction in the context of the Okavango river basin.
Currently the main challenge in land management in District is the enforcement of
the provisions contained in the different plans cited above. Effective implementation
of these provisions depends to a large extent on the involvement of local
communities and other stakeholders other than the designated authorities. Up until
the ODMP, the planning process followed the national planning culture of a top-down
approach. Local communities have always played a marginal role in the preparation
of plans. Although community consultation is mandatory and was indeed practiced
during the ODMP process, the extent to which community views actually influence
policy formulation and or implementation of plans remains unclear and debatable.
The fact is that staff capacity within the implementing agencies of the various plans is
thin on the ground to facilitate effective inspections, visits and development
monitoring, and also to ensure that land management guidelines and regulations are
observed. Local communities on the other hand seldom understand these guidelines,
and therefore end up not applying best land management practices, or at worst
simply ignore these guidelines. Community Based Organisations and Trusts lack the
requisite management skills for effective land management in their respective areas.
This planning inadequacy has so far not caused serious resources degradation, but
has resulted in land use conflicts which need to be addressed by the integrated land
use and lnd management plan.
The Tawana Land Board which is the main land authority, is also faced with the
absence of a proper land data base management system, resulting in poor record
keeping of land allocated for different uses, to whom, where and when.

3.3 Land utilisation potential ­ suitability

Soil suitability or potential utilization was another important guiding principle or
consideration in developing the Ngamiland integrated development plan. Rating of
soils for suitability is based on a number of factors, but mainly soil fertility. The rating
of soils that is used in Botswana and therefore applied to Ngamiland has 2 major soil
orders that are divided into classes of fertility and these are shown in Map 3 below.
From soil suitability analysis for the District, as depicted on the map, the most fertile
soils are found within the peripheries of the Okavango rivers. This is particularly due
to the high moisture content, high turnover of biomass, hence the good structured
soils that are as a result, very fertile. By default, indigenous knowledge and also as
adopted by the Land Board, the drier sandveld areas west of the Okavango area are
used for grazing. This is where most of the boreholes used for watering livestock are
found.


16
TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

Figure 3 Map 3: Soil Suitability


17
TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

4.0 LAND USE ZONING
4.1 Land use planning and recommendations

Sustainability was the overarching principle used to decide on the most suitable land
use zoning. A favoured land use plan would be one that protects the integrity of the
fragile environment of the Okavango delta; one that renders national and local
economic benefits; as well as one that fosters equitable distribution and access to
natural resources and the benefits of development. The following set of criteria was
used to evaluate land use and development option.
5. Land use capability and land use conflict resolution: As shown above
land use conflicts are a major concern in the Delta. Conflicts exist between
wildlife conservation and communal agricultural use and between tourism and
other uses. Conflicts therefore require urgent attention as they threaten the
conservation of the resources.
6. Safeguarding of livelihood strategies and promotion of economic
growth: High poverty levels are an issue in Ngamiland. It is therefore
important that the plan and or land use zoning promotes access to resources
by the poor while at the same time encouraging investment for economic
growth and employment creation.
7. Compliance with national and international policies and conventions:
The Okavango Delta is a Ramsar site, hence a wetland of international
importance which should be conserved accordingly. It is therefore required
that any land use zoning does not jeopardize the conservation of this
resource. There are also national ideals for the conservation of the Okavango
delta as outlined in the vision 2016.
8. Ecological and environmental considerations: The complexity of the
Okavango delta as an ecological system is known and acknowledged as a
planning consideration. It was therefore requested that the land use zoning
adopted be environmentally sensitive.

4.2 Preferred land use options

During the ODMP planning process several land use zoning options were
presented to the land authority, Tawana Land Board. The options shown in
Maps 5 & 6 below were chosen to be implemented concurrently as they were
viewed to have different strengths as per the above criteria. Map 5 options
offer opportunity for the development of the agricultural production hence
improving local livelihoods and resource access for the poor. On the other
hand, the proposed option shown in Map 6 promotes maximization of the
tourism potential of the Okavango Delta. This was seen as providing the
opportunity for economic growth and environmental conservation.
It is important to note that the Department of Lands in the Ministry of Lands
and Housing, who is the national land authority, is in the process of
combining the two options under the principle of sustainability into an
integrated District Land Use Plan. It can already be stated that the combined




18
TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

concept in the options has been accepted as the land use and development
concept for the District with the tourism and wildlife uses taking precedence.
From consultations carried out during the ODMP process this bias does not
have local favor. Local communities remain committed to subsistence
agriculture and would like a land use plan which offers development
opportunity in that area. However, the tourism and wildlife utilization options
are favored by conservationists locally and appeals to the international
stakeholders.


Figure 4 Map 4: Proposed land use zoning 1


19
TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.


Figure 5 Map 5: Proposed land use zoning 2.

4.3 Conclusion and planning implications

While there remains the need and challenge to reconcile the development and
natural resources needs of the Okavango Delta communities and conservation
expectations there is also a need to take inventory of and reconcile regional
development needs. This is important because land use decisions made for the
development of the Okavango Delta area require that the Delta remain in pristine
condition. Needless to say maintaining the pristine nature of the Okavango Delta
requires cooperation of communities living around the Delta and other riparian states
in the Okavango River basin. There are several ways of fostering such cooperation.
Basin wide planning and consultation is one of them. This was embraced to some
extend during the ODMP formulation but albeit to a limited consultative extend. It
would be useful to be engaged in a process of collective planning and decision
making across the basin, perhaps under the leadership and guidance of OKACOM.
The second way to foster cooperation for the preservation of the Okavango delta is
to deliberately facilitate benefit sharing from development of the basin components.
Botswana has a well developed tourism industry which it intends to develop further. If
the creativity and attendant benefits from this industry can be scaled up to the rest of
the basin that could promote an interest by all the riparian states to preserve the
Delta.



20
TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

References
1. Bendson H, 2003, The Dynamics of Land Use Systems In Ngamiland.
Changing Livelihood Options And Strategies. University of Botswana, Harry
Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre, Maun, Botswana.

2. CSO, 2002. 2001 Population and housing census: Population of towns,
villages and associated localities. Government Printer, Gaborone.
3. DEA, 2008. Okavango Delta Management Plan. Ministry of Environment,
Wildlife and Tourism, Gaborone.
4. Government of Botswana, 1995. Development Control Code. Government
Printers, Gaborone.
5. Government of Botswana, 1992. Wildlife Conservation and National Parks
Act. Government Printers, Gaborone.
6. Government of Botswana, 1986. Wildlife Conservation Policy. Government
Printers, Gaborone.

7. Government of Botswana, 1997. Vision 2016, Government Printers,
Gaborone.

8. Government of Botswana, 1975. Tribal Grazing Land Policy. Government
Printers, Gaborone.

9. Government of Botswana, National Settlement Policy,1998 Government
Printers, Gaborone.
10. Government of Botswana, 1990. Revised General Soil Legend of Botswana.
Government Printers, Gaborone.

11. Government of Botswana, 1989. The soils of South East Ngamiland.
Government Printers, Gaborone.

12. Government of Botswana, 1977. Town and Country Planning Act.
Government Printers, Gaborone.

13. Government of Botswana, 1993. Tribal Land Act. Government Printers,
Gaborone.

14. Ministry of Lands & Housing, 2003. Ngamiland District Settlement Strategy:
Final Report. Maun, Botswana.
15. Tawana Land Board, 2008. Ngamiland integrated land use plan. Maun,
Botswana.

16. Wolski et.al., 2005. Aspects of seasonal dynamics of flooding in the
Okavango Delta. Botswana Notes & records Vol 37 179-195. Botswana
Society, Gaborone.


21
TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

The Okavango River Basin Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis Technical Reports
I
Diagnostic Analysis to establish a base of available
n 1994, the three riparian countries of the Okavango
scientific evidence to guide future decision making.
River Basin ­ Angola, Botswana and Namibia ­ agreed
The study, created from inputs from multi-disciplinary
to plan for collaborative management of the natural
teams in each country, with specialists in hydrology,
resources of the Okavango, forming the Permanent
hydraulics, channel form, water quality, vegetation,
Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM).
aquatic invertebrates, fish, birds, river-dependent
In 2003, with funding from the Global Environment
terrestrial wildlife, resource economics and socio-
Facility, OKACOM launched the Environmental
cultural issues, was coordinated and managed by a
Protection and Sustainable Management of the
group of specialists from the southern African region
Okavango River Basin (EPSMO) Project to coordinate
in 2008 and 2009.
development and to anticipate and address threats to

the river and the associated communities and
The following specialist technical reports were
environment. Implemented by the United Nations
produced as part of this process and form
Development Program and executed by the United
substantive background content for the Okavango
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the project
River Basin Trans-boundary Diagnostic Analysis
produced the Transboundary.

Final Study
Reports integrating findings from all country and background reports, and covering the entire
Reports
basin.


Aylward, B.
Economic Valuation of Basin Resources: Final Report to
EPSMO Project of the UN Food & Agriculture Organization as
an Input to the Okavango River Basin Transboundary
Diagnostic Analysis


Barnes, J. et al.
Okavango River Basin Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis:
Socio-Economic Assessment Final Report


King, J.M. and Brown,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment Project
C.A.
Initiation Report (Report No: 01/2009)


King, J.M. and Brown,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment EFA
C.A.
Process Report (Report No: 02/2009)


King, J.M. and Brown,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
C.A.
Guidelines for Data Collection, Analysis and Scenario Creation
(Report No: 03/2009)

Bethune,
S.
Mazvimavi,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
D. and Quintino, M.
Delineation Report (Report No: 04/2009)


Beuster, H.
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
Hydrology Report: Data And Models(Report No: 05/2009)

Beuster,
H. Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
Scenario Report : Hydrology (Report No: 06/2009)


Jones, M.J.
The Groundwater Hydrology of The Okavango Basin (FAO
Internal Report, April 2010)


King, J.M. and Brown,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
C.A.
Scenario Report: Ecological and Social Predictions (Volume 1
of 4)(Report No. 07/2009)


King, J.M. and Brown,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
C.A.
Scenario Report: Ecological and Social Predictions (Volume 2
of 4: Indicator results) (Report No. 07/2009)


King, J.M. and Brown,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
C.A.
Scenario Report: Ecological and Social Predictions: Climate
Change Scenarios (Volume 3 of 4) (Report No. 07/2009)


King, J., Brown, C.A.,
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment
Joubert, A.R. and
Scenario Report: Biophysical Predictions (Volume 4 of 4:
Barnes, J.
Climate Change Indicator Results) (Report No: 07/2009)


King, J., Brown, C.A.
Okavango River Basin Environmental Flow Assessment Project
and Barnes, J.
Final Report (Report No: 08/2009)


Malzbender, D.
Environmental Protection And Sustainable Management Of The
Okavango River Basin (EPSMO): Governance Review


Vanderpost, C. and
Database and GIS design for an expanded Okavango Basin
Dhliwayo, M.
Information System (OBIS)


Veríssimo, Luis
GIS Database for the Environment Protection and Sustainable
Management of the Okavango River Basin Project

Wolski,
P.
Assessment of hydrological effects of climate change in the
Okavango Basin




Country Reports
Angola
Andrade e Sousa,
Análise Diagnóstica Transfronteiriça da Bacia do Rio




22
TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

Biophysical Series
Helder André de
Okavango: Módulo do Caudal Ambiental: Relatório do
Especialista: País: Angola: Disciplina: Sedimentologia &
Geomorfologia


Gomes, Amândio
Análise Diagnóstica Transfronteiriça da Bacia do Rio
Okavango: Módulo do Caudal Ambiental: Relatório do
Especialista: País: Angola: Disciplina: Vegetação

Gomes,
Amândio
Análise Técnica, Biofísica e Socio-Económica do Lado
Angolano da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Cubango: Relatório
Final:Vegetação da Parte Angolana da Bacia Hidrográfica Do
Rio Cubango


Livramento, Filomena
Análise Diagnóstica Transfronteiriça da Bacia do Rio
Okavango: Módulo do Caudal Ambiental: Relatório do
Especialista: País: Angola: Disciplina:Macroinvertebrados


Miguel, Gabriel Luís
Análise Técnica, Biofísica E Sócio-Económica do Lado
Angolano da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Cubango:
Subsídio Para o Conhecimento Hidrogeológico
Relatório de Hidrogeologia


Morais, Miguel
Análise Diagnóstica Transfronteiriça da Bacia do Análise Rio
Cubango (Okavango): Módulo da Avaliação do Caudal
Ambiental: Relatório do Especialista País: Angola Disciplina:
Ictiofauna

Morais,
Miguel
Análise Técnica, Biófisica e Sócio-Económica do Lado
Angolano da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Cubango: Relatório
Final: Peixes e Pesca Fluvial da Bacia do Okavango em Angola


Pereira, Maria João
Qualidade da Água, no Lado Angolano da Bacia Hidrográfica
do Rio Cubango

Santos,
Carmen
Ivelize
Análise Diagnóstica Transfronteiriça da Bacia do Rio
Van-Dúnem S. N.
Okavango: Módulo do Caudal Ambiental: Relatório de
Especialidade: Angola: Vida Selvagem


Santos, Carmen Ivelize
Análise Diagnóstica Transfronteiriça da Bacia do Rio
Van-Dúnem S.N.
Okavango:Módulo Avaliação do Caudal Ambiental: Relatório de
Especialidade: Angola: Aves

Botswana Bonyongo, M.C.
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report: Country:
Botswana: Discipline: Wildlife


Hancock, P.
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module : Specialist Report: Country:
Botswana: Discipline: Birds

Mosepele,
K. Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report: Country:
Botswana: Discipline: Fish


Mosepele, B. and
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Dallas, Helen
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report: Country:
Botswana: Discipline: Aquatic Macro Invertebrates

Namibia
Collin Christian &
Okavango River Basin: Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis
Associates CC
Project: Environmental Flow Assessment Module:
Geomorphology


Curtis, B.A.
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report Country:
Namibia Discipline: Vegetation


Bethune, S.
Environmental Protection and Sustainable Management of the
Okavango River Basin (EPSMO): Transboundary Diagnostic
Analysis: Basin Ecosystems Report


Nakanwe, S.N.
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report: Country:
Namibia: Discipline: Aquatic Macro Invertebrates

Paxton,
M. Okavango River Basin Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist
Report:Country:Namibia: Discipline: Birds (Avifauna)


Roberts, K.
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report: Country:
Namibia: Discipline: Wildlife

Waal,
B.V. Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report: Country:
Namibia:Discipline: Fish Life
Country Reports
Angola
Gomes, Joaquim
Análise Técnica dos Aspectos Relacionados com o Potencial
Socioeconomic
Duarte
de Irrigação no Lado Angolano da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio
Series
Cubango: Relatório Final

Mendelsohn,
.J.
Land use in Kavango: Past, Present and Future


Pereira, Maria João
Análise Diagnóstica Transfronteiriça da Bacia do Rio
Okavango: Módulo do Caudal Ambiental: Relatório do
Especialista: País: Angola: Disciplina: Qualidade da Água


Saraiva, Rute et al.
Diagnóstico Transfronteiriço Bacia do Okavango: Análise


23
TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.

Socioeconómica Angola

Botswana Chimbari, M. and
Okavango River Basin Trans-Boundary Diagnostic Assessment
Magole, Lapologang
(TDA): Botswana Component: Partial Report: Key Public Health
Issues in the Okavango Basin, Botswana

Magole,
Lapologang
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the Botswana Portion of
the Okavango River Basin: Land Use Planning


Magole, Lapologang
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) of the Botswana p
Portion of the Okavango River Basin: Stakeholder Involvement
in the ODMP and its Relevance to the TDA Process

Masamba,
W.R.
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the Botswana Portion of
the Okavango River Basin: Output 4: Water Supply and
Sanitation


Masamba,W.R.
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the Botswana Portion of
the Okavango River Basin: Irrigation Development

Mbaiwa.J.E. Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the Okavango River
Basin: the Status of Tourism Development in the Okavango
Delta: Botswana


Mbaiwa.J.E. &
Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Tourism Activities
Mmopelwa, G.
and their Economic Benefits in the Okavango Delta

Mmopelwa,
G.
Okavango River Basin Trans-boundary Diagnostic Assessment:
Botswana Component: Output 5: Socio-Economic Profile


Ngwenya, B.N.
Final Report: A Socio-Economic Profile of River Resources and
HIV and AIDS in the Okavango Basin: Botswana

Vanderpost,
C.
Assessment of Existing Social Services and Projected Growth
in the Context of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the
Botswana Portion of the Okavango River Basin

Namibia
Barnes, J and
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Wamunyima, D
Environmental Flow Module: Specialist Report:
Country: Namibia: Discipline: Socio-economics


Collin Christian &
Technical Report on Hydro-electric Power Development in the
Associates CC
Namibian Section of the Okavango River Basin


Liebenberg, J.P.
Technical Report on Irrigation Development in the Namibia
Section of the Okavango River Basin


Ortmann, Cynthia L.
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis:
Environmental Flow Module : Specialist Report Country:
Namibia: discipline: Water Quality


Nashipili,
Okavango River Basin Technical Diagnostic Analysis: Specialist
Ndinomwaameni
Report: Country: Namibia: Discipline: Water Supply and
Sanitation

Paxton,
C.
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis: Specialist Report:
Discipline: Water Quality Requirements For Human Health in
the Okavango River Basin: Country: Namibia





24
TDA Botswana Land Use Planning.






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