Forest resources are an integral part of the environment and have always played a prominent role in the sustenance of human life through various pathways such as regulation of climatic conditions and provision of food, fuelwood, etc. However, with the large human population increases and associated agricultural and infrastructural developments, a lot of pressure is exerted on the forest resource base and has now become inadequate. Botswana is no exception. When she gained independence in 1966, the human population in the whole country was far less than 1 million and probably the forest resources could not have been under much pressure and were probably even adequate. Thirty-three years later, in 1999, the human population has risen to about 1.5 million while the forest resources have not had any corresponding increase. This is now leading to a shortage of the resources as more and more people place varying amounts and types of demand on them.
It is against this background that the idea of conservation and sustainability has gained enormous momentum. The main consideration in the utilization of the resource base is to use them in a sustainable manner taking in to consideration its productive capacity, and to conserve it for the future generations. Conservation though, is not only for the benefit of the future generations, but is also meant to ensure the perpetuation of forest genetic diversity. A reduction in quantities of a certain species will adversely affect the integrity and balance of the genetic resources in any given area.
This country report reviews the institutional, legal, social, economic, scientific and technical aspects of issues related to the status, conservation, utilization and promotion of forest genetic resources in Botswana. Particular focus is given to the problem of otherwise effective but disjointed efforts of both government and non- governmental sectors in addressing the degradation of the forest resource base.
