the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ...

most to lose if the Okavango in its present state is lost (Mendelsohn and el Obeid,
2004).
8.6 Summary and Conclusion
In Botswana there are generally 'screams of horror' whenever an irrigation scheme,
pipeline or dam is planned. By contrast, viewpoints upstream are such that most
people in Angola and Namibia may not care how much water reaches the
downstream Delta. Both perspectives, at either end of the Basin need to change.
Most thoughts on co-operation between Angola, Namibia and Botswana concentrate
on how water can be shared, which is to be expected. However, it would also be
useful to improve the debate on how benefits can be shared. Most importantly, there
is a need for a shift away from the assumption that most benefits will come from
agriculture and rural development (Mendelsohn and el Obeid, 2004).
This chapter provided an appraisal of the socio-cultural and environmental impacts
of the international tourism industry in the Okavango Delta. It also presented the
current and future threats that face the Okavango Delta, and the Okavango River
Basin as a whole. The next chapter presents a detailed analysis of the major issues
dealt with in this dissertation, and provides recommendations and conclusions on
the role of tourism in natural resource management in the Okavango Delta region.
8.7 Summary of Issues and Concerns Facing the Okavango
Delta and its People
Nils Odendaal, from the Namibia Nature Foundation, together with OKACOM, Sida,
the Kalahari Conservation Society and the Rossing Foundation have developed the
'Every River Has its People Project' which focuses on the entire Okavango River
Basin. The purpose of the project is to identify some of the major problems and
threats facing the Okavango River Basin, and propose solutions to these issues.
According to the project, the main issues currently facing the Okavango Delta
include:
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