Botswana

Our work

The SWM Programme in Botswana operates in the ‘Ngamiland 8’ (NG8) area, encompassing the Habu, Tubu, and Nokaneng communities. Located in the communal livestock grazing areas of western Ngamiland, the SWM Programme is supporting Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) initiatives to manage wildlife sustainably, and improve food security and livelihood opportunities. A key objective is fostering coexistence between people and wildlife, thus reducing human-wildlife conflict and poaching. Ultimately, the SWM Programme aims to establish a network of well-managed community conservation areas that generate sustainable socio-economic benefits and ensure ecological connectivity within the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area.

Who we work with

The SWM Programme in Botswana is working with the Habu, Tubu, and Nokaneng communities. Field activities are coordinated by FAO and implemented by Wild Entrust Africa (WEA) in partnership with the Habu Community Development Trust (HCDT).


Output1

Output 1: Community rights and governance

A comprehensive review and analysis of around 369 legal texts related to wildlife and other sectors was completed and validated by the government. FAO collaborates with the Government of Botswana to develop draft legislation for CBNRM, granting communities the right to manage and utilize their natural resources. The Programme actively supports the government by providing feedback on the draft CBNRM Bill, which is currently under review.

Output2

Output 2: Adaptive wildlife management

Following village-wide consultations, the communities in NG8 agreed to begin the process of reasserting their rights over communal land in the area. This is a key step in the formalization of community conservation areas. The SWM Programme co funds half of Habu's 30 community scouts, who work on wildlife monitoring and herding. Regional coordination included thematic visits, learning tours, and training on human-wildlife conflict mitigation across the four KAZA countries (Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe).

 

Output3

Output 3: Healthy and sustainable supply chains and consumption

Efforts to strengthen domestic meat production in Habu included developing a butchery management plan after the butchery's construction in 2022 by the District Council. Equipping and electrifying the butchery is in progress, with cold storage, fridges, and meat processing tools purchased. Alternative protein production systems, such as guinea fowl, chicken farming, and aquaculture, are being explored to diversify diets and reduce reliance on wildlife for food, potentially lowering zoonotic disease risks and introducing safer food supply chains.

Output4

Output 4: Zoonotic risk prevention and management

A Community Butchery Management Plan was drafted to ensure structured and sanitary meat handling, reducing the transmission of wildlife-borne diseases between animals and humans.

Botswana Legal Hub

Country legal hubs are a user-friendly point of access to a comprehensive set of data and analysis on the statutory legal frameworks relating to sustainable wildlife management.

Publications

SWM Community Conservancy Project Newsletter, Issue 5 (March to August 2024)
10/2024

We are pleased to release the fifth issue of the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Community Conservancy (CC) Project newsletter covering the four...

Videos

Botswana’s Habu community conservancy, a promising model of human-wildlife coexistence
19/07/2023

In the Habu village in Botswana, human-wildlife conflict, lack of economic opportunities and livestock disease have driven young people away. Community...

Living with wildlife in Botswana: Godlop's story
04/05/2023

This video gives an insight into the SWM Programme work with ranchers and community scouts in the Habu Community Conservancy, which is located in the...

Supporting community and wildlife coexistence in Southern Africa
24/02/2023

The Kavango–Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area is one of the largest conservation areas in the world, spanning the international borders...

Supported by

Consortium partners

ACP logo     European Union logo     FFEM logo  AFD logo  
FAO logo       CIFOR-ICRAF logo           WCS logo

 

Contact us

 

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