7. Emerging issues
While the HIV/AIDS pandemic is certainly the major issue impacting on Botswana since the Rio Conference, a number of emerging issues could become very important.
7.1 Regionally shared natural resources
An important emerging issue –although it could be argued that it is an age-old issue- relates to regionally shared natural resources.
Botswana is expected to run out of groundwater in the next 20 years, and water requirements in other countries in the region are likely to increase equally rapidly. Plans in the region for dams, pipelines or water schemes on rivers such as the Okavango, Zambezi and Limpopo will have major effects on local and downstream populations. Issues such as regional water pollution/contamination are potential sources for future regional conflict. The political situation in the sub-region, with conflicts and/or political instability increases the risk of conflicts over transboundary natural resources.
-> The Kalahari Gemsbok (Botswana and South-Africa – Namibia is yet to participate) and other Transfontier Parks in Southern Africa, such as the Shashe-Limpopo Trans-frontier Conservation Area (TFCA) between Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe show the possibilities for fruitful regional co-operation in natural resources management.
Nonetheless, it will be important to monitor progress and learn from difficulties encountered, specifically with regard to equitable benefits obtained by the peoples living in those areas. |
7.2 Genetically Modified Organisms
A second emerging issue concerns Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). With the current lack of legislation and the majority of consumer products and seeds being imported from the RSA (where US companies are important shareholders) Botswana is certainly a potential importer of GMOs.
Very little is currently known regarding the long-term health effects of genetically modified foods. Botswana can hardly afford to risk potential consequences on the health of its population.
There are indications that genetically modified seeds could result in genetic erosion and reduced biodiversity in Botswana, in addition to creating increased dependency, as is the case with most hybrids. Sustainable development of agriculture would require local capacity for natural seed production, and regulation regarding imports. With many industrialised countries banning GMOs, Africa is at risk of being an ideal market for these. Local plant conservation activities aimed at preserving the local gene pool, such as the PTB project on Agricultural seed conservation, and FAB and Veldt Products’ seed collection projects, should receive more support and should be incorporated in a national activity.
In view of this, a precautionary attitude should be promoted in Southern Africa and countries should be mobilised to take a strong position against GMOs during the coming WSSD.
For these regional issues SADC plays a major role to provide a framework for dialogue and regional agreement. The UN should put these issues on the agenda of regional and international meetings. Civil Society in Botswana will continue to lobby and raise awareness, with projects such as “Every River has its people”, a regional project for which KCS is the managing and implementing NGO in Botswana.
7.3 NEPAD new partnership for Africa deal
A third emerging issue relates to the NEPAD initiative. Very little is currently known regarding this initiative within Botswana. There is a fear that the focus lies heavily on economic development. It is therefore recommended that before Botswana formally commits to any initiative, a national debate be organised regarding its implications for sustainable development in Botswana.
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