Conservation Challenges, Resource Management and Opportunities to Sustain Wildlife Biodiversity in the Kalahari: Insights from a Local NGO, Cheetah Conservation Botswana

Abstract

Protecting and sustaining ecosystems is a fundamental sustainable development goal as it impacts both people and wildlife. In order to maintain high levels of biodiversity, intact and functioning ecosystems are required. However, where humans need to utilise the same area as wildlife, communities must be in a position to benefit from and sustainably utilise the available resources. The Kalahari is a major ecosystem that dominates most of Botswana and is one of the few areas in the world that still maintains a low human footprint. The potential for maintaining its integrity is high as it still supports high diversity and abundance of wildlife. However, there is a growing demand for livestock in the area, particularly as human populations continue to increase. Livestock is a major livelihood in Botswana but can conflict with the needs of wildlife, leading to a decline in their populations. Ensuring coexistence, in order to meet the needs of both people and wildlife, requires an integrated approach implemented through a range of strategies at both the ground level and within government-policy. Cheetah Conservation Botswana is a not-for-profit organisation aimed at conserving cheetah and other carnivores, and ensuring communities in key cheetah habitat are given the tools and knowledge to enjoy sustainable livelihoods while living alongside wildlife. The organisation’s holistic outlook is reflected in its strategies, which include maintaining strong research and education activities while developing farmer and community programs that foster coexistence. Engaging with communities who are most affected by conflict to determine practical mitigation tools and facilitating opportunities for them to benefit from wildlife is at the core of the organisation. Only through improved knowledge and capacity to reduce conflict, can tolerance improve and ultimately lead to behaviour change, thereby enabling a more sustainable existence within the ecosystems that we fundamentally rely upon.