Chapter 5 Summary and conclusions

Botswana is expected to continue to experience rapid population growth in the next twenty years. The projections are such that the population will exceed two million in 2011. And the population size is likely to be between 2.4 and 3 million persons in 2021.(National Development Plan 8). However these projections may change due to the AIDS scourge ravaging the country in particular the youth section of our society that makes more than 50% of the population.

The economic growth has been very rapid and is expected to average 4.5% per annum over the period of 1995/96 to 2020/2021. The rate of growth is somewhat higher than the population. (National Development Plan 8 ).

All these changes in economic performance and population growth are likely to impact on forestry sub-sector.

Increase in population is bound to increase the demand for wood and other forest products. This is likely to result in acceleration of deforestation in some areas. Already their signs of localized deforestation around major population centers.

If the economy continues to grow at the projected rate that is above the population growth rate, it means there will be more job opportunities that eventually will lead to improvement of living standard. It is possible that people will adopt other conventional sources of energy, and this in turn would ease-off pressure on the forests.

Reduction in agricultural subsidies and adoption of new agricultural technologies will also reduce the conversion of forestland into agricultural land.

An integrated approach to forest resource management is the most ideal form of forest management as not only does it focuses on wood and other forest products, but also on other non consumptive forest uses such as the environmental functions of forests, including the protection of biodiversity, enhancement of soil and water conservation etc.

The tourism industry is the future engine of economic growth of this country. There is untapped potential for eco-tourism particularly in our forest reserves and on state land.

For long time forestry has been considered a less important sector in Botswana. The lack of data on the stocking situation and quantification of its economic contribution, public perception of forest resources as a "free goods", and its low Government priority has over the years undermined the growth of the sub-sector in Botswana. As a result the benefits from the sub-sector have been grossly underestimated in both the sectoral and the national Gross Domestic Products context. It is high time that the Government recognizes and internalizes the full cost and benefits of forest sub-sector development, including productive and environmental values, and impacts; and ensures that forest products and services are properly valued;

Also what is essential is the need for support in terms of resources and commitment from stakeholders and such as the Government, Donor Agencies, NGOs, Private Sector, Civil Society, and the general public. This will help achieve sustainable management, and utilization of forest resource. It will also safeguard the resources productive value, biological diversity, environmental amelioration capabilities and enhance forestry research, education and extension. The Government of Botswana has already taken a step towards fulfilling these obligations by formulating and reviewing existing policies particularly those dealing with the environment. This indeed is a step in the right direction and we expect other stakeholders and interested parties to follow the example of Government and work towards developing forestry sub-sector in Botswana.