Environment in Botswana

Botswana’s natural environment includes Kalahari landscapes, savannas, forests, grasslands, wetlands, floodplains and salt pans. The Okavango Delta, Chobe-Linyanti, Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans, the Tuli Block and the Kalahari Sandveld illustrate the country’s range of habitats. National parks, game reserves, Wildlife Management Areas and other protected areas conserve these habitats, but they do not generally provide unrestricted access or free resource extraction. Wildlife, water, grazing land and plants can be subject to permits, protection rules and community-based use systems. The living environment includes the services and conditions that shape daily life. Water and sanitation, electricity, waste disposal, air quality, noise, green spaces, safety and accessibility may differ between cities, villages and remote areas. Local authorities, water and electricity utilities, environmental and disaster-protection bodies, and planning authorities share responsibilities across these areas. Local assemblies and development committees also provide channels for local participation. A practical environmental question therefore depends on the exact place and activity. Using land, collecting natural resources, building near a sensitive habitat or relying on a local service may involve different authorities, permits or availability. Checking the local service provider, planning authority and applicable conservation or environmental rules prevents a general national description from being treated as a guarantee for a specific location.