 Print |
|
 |
| For immediate release |
| Botswana’s Kalahari Desert – valuable as diamonds? |
| If Botswana took advantage of the untapped economic value of the Kalahari desert, a new economic sector could be created. In a future economy, the Kalahari could become as valuable as diamonds, says Valli Moosa, President of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) during his visit to Botswana from 12-15 October 2006. |
Gaborone , Botswana , 11 October 2006 (IUCN) – Investment in Botswana ’s drylands would yield high returns both for local sustainable livelihoods and for Botswana ’s economy as a whole. This is one of the main messages of Mr Valli Moosa, President of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) who is visiting Botswana this week. “2006 is the International year of Deserts and Desertification and we need to realize the opportunities that drylands provide, and make the appropriate investments,” says Valli Moosa. “Products derived from drylands could be as important for local communities in the future as diamonds are today to Botswana’s national economy,” he added. The hidden wealth of drylands is becoming increasingly visible in Africa . In Sudan , arid forest cover amounts to 27% of the country’s territory, but accounts for 70.8% of the national energy balance and 33% of the forage of livestock. Most of Kenya ’s livestock lives from drylands, and half of the meat consumed in Nairobi comes from them. In Namibia , around 70% of the population depends directly on drylands for their livelihoods. Veld products such as the medicinal plants “Devils claw” and “Hoodia” are amongst the ecosystem goods and services that could boost local economies. Sustainable dryland tourism is another underdeveloped area that should be explored to support communities, improve their livelihoods and in doing so prevent degradation of vulnerable areas. During his visit to Gaborone from 12-13 October, Mr Valli Moosa will meet with the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Minerals, Energy & Water Affairs. He will also meet with the Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and with the IUCN members in Botswana that work on veld products, birds, forests, Kalahari conservation, wildlife, tourism and other issues. On 14-15 October Valli Moosa will travel to Maun to visit the Okavango Delta Management Plan Secretariat and pay a visit to the Delta Community Trust and Polers Trust, a local ecotourism project. |
For more information or to set up interviews, please contact:
Photos are available from: carolin.wahnbaeck About the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Created in 1948, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) brings together 81 States, 120 government agencies, 800 plus NGOs, and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. The Union’s mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. The Union is the world's largest environmental knowledge network and has helped over 75 countries to prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies. The Union is a multicultural, multilingual organization with 1,000 staff located in 62 countries. Its headquarters are in Gland, Switzerland. |
iucn.org| Print |