Government has moved swiftly to address a disturbing situation pitting human activity against wildlife conservation at the Makgadikgadi National Park and Khumaga village by erecting a new 41 kilometre stretch of animal proof non-lethal electric fence separating the two and was launched on Monday.
While the 41 kilometre stretch from the park’s Khumaga gate to Tsoi cattle posts used to have a fence, it was dilapidated to a point where animals from both sides moved in all directions without any hinderance. The situation also led to serious issues of poaching as some residents traversed the park with impunity.
Environment and Tourism minister, Wynter Mmolotsi launched the completed project at the village’s Kgotla where he emphasised the significance of the fence which will go a long way in ensuring peaceful co-existence between wildlife in the park and agricultural activity on the other side.
Mmolotsi further highlighted that the Part B project of the fence, built at a cost of over P20 million and completed in 10 months instead of the initial set 12, will serve the purpose of protecting both sectors of Agriculture and Tourism which are key to the economy.
He revealed that with the completion of the Part B stretch has given way for Part C of the project which is ongoing and involves the erection of fence on another stretch, then Part D that will see the entire length of the fence – 285 kilometres covered to ensure the park is completely enclosed.
Mmolotsi also implored the residents, to take advantage of the community based natural resource management programme to derive benefits from the natural resources at their doorstep. To this end, they are obligated to ensure the conservation of the same to ensure long term benefits from tourism.
Meanwhile, in his welcome remarks, Kgosi Oabona Ngande of Khumaga welcomed the development as a progressive step to safeguarding wildlife conservation and agricultural production and the lifes of the villagers.
Kgosi Ngande however cautioned of the immediate threats facing the fence; that of vandalism and threat by some sections of his subjects. He revealed that already some components of the solar power stations along the stretch of the fence which play a critical part is ensuring the fence is powered. The tribal leader cautioned his subjects against sabotaging a project that is meant to enhance the livelihoods of the community at large. The acts of crime as highlighted by Kgosi Ngande also involve poaching, where some members of the community get into the park for wild animals.
In response, Mmolotsi said issues of vandalism and theft on government infrastructure were of concern as they defeat the very intentions of improving the livelihoods of communities. He appealed for community action against these acts of crime, which he said was more effect as they tend to know wrong doers.
