World Wetlands Day is observed every year on the 2nd of February and the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism (MENT) hosted an event to this end in Maun. CCB staff was among the 500 participants engaged in the festivities along with representatives from the village leadership, the District Commissioner’s Office, various government departments, parastatals and private companies. While the cause for the day was celebration, there were calls for meditation on solutions to curb harmful trends affecting the wetlands of the world.
The theme for this year’s celebrations was Wetlands and Biodiversity: Life Thrives in Wetlands. In her speech, Honourable Minister Phildah Kereng, highlighted that her ministry is continuously making sure that the Okavango Delta is preserved and conserved. This was stated in response to the harrowing fact that 64% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared, and we are faced with losing another 1% of those remaining soon. The impact of climate change on conservation efforts was also noted as a pressing challenge. Further challenges facing the government include the welfare and prosperity of communities within the Okavango Delta, whose livelihoods reflect the inverse of this year’s theme. Understanding that coexistence takes many forms, it is imperative that all who can contribute to improving the situations of people, wildlife and wetlands, get involved promptly.
For its part, the Ministry resolved to ensure that the annual celebrations continue to improve, along with amplifying the participation of communities that live in these wetlands. On a national level the government, through MENT, is presently working on policies, laws and strategies to try and preserve and conserve the environment. As an organization which works closely with communities across the country, CCB is bolstered in our efforts by the commitment from government agencies to promote coexistence and prosperity at all levels of our valuable ecosystems.
The theme for this year’s celebrations was Wetlands and Biodiversity: Life Thrives in Wetlands. In her speech, Honourable Minister Phildah Kereng, highlighted that her ministry is continuously making sure that the Okavango Delta is preserved and conserved. This was stated in response to the harrowing fact that 64% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared, and we are faced with losing another 1% of those remaining soon. The impact of climate change on conservation efforts was also noted as a pressing challenge. Further challenges facing the government include the welfare and prosperity of communities within the Okavango Delta, whose livelihoods reflect the inverse of this year’s theme. Understanding that coexistence takes many forms, it is imperative that all who can contribute to improving the situations of people, wildlife and wetlands, get involved promptly.
For its part, the Ministry resolved to ensure that the annual celebrations continue to improve, along with amplifying the participation of communities that live in these wetlands. On a national level the government, through MENT, is presently working on policies, laws and strategies to try and preserve and conserve the environment. As an organization which works closely with communities across the country, CCB is bolstered in our efforts by the commitment from government agencies to promote coexistence and prosperity at all levels of our valuable ecosystems.
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