CBFiM is inherently based upon the community and thier participation will be ensured through the key involvement of the KRST and neighbouring communities / land managers in the development and implementation of the Project from commencement to completion. Specifically this will involve the Project Activities of Establishing Fire Management Brigades within the neighbouring communities; Participation in the Training and Skills Transfer Program; Developing Khama Rhino Sanctuary Integrated Fire Management Program; Implementing the Fire Management Program; Monitoring the Fire Management Program; and Reporting on the Fire Management Program.
Capacity building is one of the principle focal points of the Project, highlighted by the Project Activity of Training and Skills Transfer Program that will be delivered to:
- Khama Rhino Sanctuary Fire Management Brigade
- Neighbour Property Fire Management Brigade
Planning gef grant
Currently were area satisfied with what we have learned . Since fire is a problem in our area, in future we may request for assistance to include other communities that were not part of the current project. This will include villages like Serowe, Tshimoyapula, Mmashoro and Mogorosi. If such villages are covered and are able to implement the project efficient, fires in our area will be a thing of the past.
Policy Influence
Fire is a problem for the whole of Botswana. The project has the potential of being adopted and being replicated in other areas in future. Quite a number of government departments attended the training and were very impressed. Khama Rhino Sanctuary staff has been invited in a number forum to give presentation on CBFIM which were conducted by government. Other communities have also approached us for assistance which we had done.
Linkages gef projects
If in future there is any project funded by GEF in our vicinity, a linkage is possible. Most of the baseline information was done in our area. This can benefit the larger GEF if a similar project is done next to our area.
Replication of project activities
Mababe is an example of the replicability of the project. The project design is the same. Department of Forest and Range Resources has been using the Trust staff during their workshop to sensitize the communities on fire management. This itself shows that other communities can adopt a similar approach to manage fires in their areas.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
Managing fire as a tool to sustainably manage natural resources of the Sanctuary and neighbouring areas will enhance livelihoods of the local community as well as promote revenue generation and employment opportunities in and around the Sanctuary.
Planning non gef grant
No
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
The CBFiM approach will operate through the Educational Program of the Khama Rhino Sanctuary that provides excellent facilities to promote public awareness of the CBFiM and the global environment to schools, Botswana residents and International visits.
Policy Impact
The Project has the potential to spearhead the implementation of the innovative CBFiM approach as an implementation strategy for the Botswana Wildland Fire Management Policy and contribution to the SGP Focal Areas nationally in future years.
Project sustainability
The project is a management tool which has reduced the risks of fire since it was implement. The Trust has been implementing with its own resource after the period ended. It’s a management tool which is now being done on yearly basis using the Trust resources.
Gender Focus
Women play a pivotal role in the harvesting and management of natural resources as sources of livelihoods in Botswana communities. Contribution and participation of the skills and knowledge of community women in the development and implementation of the CBFiM Project at all levels will be essential to realise the benefits of the approach to community members.
Project Results
Activities
Activities Performed under this Agreement:
The main objectives of the project was to develop and implement an integrated Fire Management Program 2010/2011 as a CBFIM initiative that enables the KRST to effectively manage wildfires, land use and the environment of Khama Rhino Sanctuary to maximize the benefits of the Sanctuary to the community. The project activities were as follow:
Establishment of Management brigades at Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Paje and Mabeleapudi villages. One brigade was established in each village consisting of one Fire Controller and four Fire Officers. From Khama Rhino Sanctuary it was the existing staff that were selected and trained. From the village of Paje and Mabeleapudi, from each village five people were selected from kgotla gathering and attended the training.
At one of the neighboring farm, the owner of the farm and his wife attended.
Fire management training and skill transfer program. This was done by the facilitator over a period of five days. This training consisted of both theory and practicals. It covered topics like fire issues in Botswana, lesson from other CBFIM programs, integrated fire management strategy, fire behavior, fire management implementation and others.
Other stake holders like government department, especially Department of Forestry and Range Resources, Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Wildlife were invited. Catering was provided for them during the period of training.
Integrated fire management strategy development. The strategy was developed by the facilitator together with the trainees. This involved a desktop study, consultation and field surveys of the area, neighbouring properties and relevant institutions. A draft was produced circulated among stakeholders, consolidated, and a final Fire management Strategy produced.
Fire management equipment procurement. Fire management equipment for the trust and the two villages was purchased to be used by Fire management Brigades. The equipment included the following;
Protective clothing, cotton overalls, boots, overalls, hats, safety glasses and leather non-steel cap boots.
Fire management equipment like twenty slashers, four drip torches, twenty shovel/spades, fifty fire beaters, twenty rakes, fifteen knap sack spray units and one bakkie unit(500l tank, pump and hose)
Fire management implementation. Practical fire management activities were done by the trainees under the supervision of project Facilitator or consultant and DFRR fire section. The burning was as per the Fire management Strategy. The Fire Management Brigades carried out the activities specified in the Fire Management Strategy 2010/2011 within their relevant areas. This represented on the job training and skill transfer program. This involved the following;
-Permit to burn application
-Coordination, liason and awareness
-Fire management implementation
-Wildlfe management etc
Fire management monitoring. The trainees were exposed to various fire management tools ranging from assessing vegetation community structure through fixed sites data collection and photographic records. Satellite monitoring-mapping of the timing and distribution of fires and its history map.
Fire management report development- trainees were also exposed measures to follow when writing reports on fire occurrences based on the fire management implementation and monitoring activities specified in the integrated fire management strategy.
Another activity that was performed was that of fencing of an additional land that was allocated to the Trust. Funds remaining from the project were diverted to be spent on the fencing project.
Results:
Describe to what extent the objectives of the Agreement were accomplished:
Three Fire Management brigades were established at Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Paje and Mabeleapudi village. There was a delivery of fire management training and skill transfer to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary staff and neighbouring communities.
An integrated fire management strategy for khama Rhino Sanctuary was developed. Based on the strategy, a fire management implementation plan for each year will be derived and implemented. An annual fire management report to be used on annual basis was developed. This will be used to report or document any fire incident occurring unexpectedly or any management fire.
The additional land was fenced, and currently animals are utilizing it. It is anticipated that more animals will be accommodated in the area. More clients are also being accommodated at the Sanctuary, therefore more funds.
