Tawana Land Board inspections of tourism establishments with the ODRS

• INSPECTION TEAM- BS Mr. Mogapi- BDC Mr. Mosojane- LS Ms. Mokete- RC Mr. Mokeresete

Objectives of the inspection:

To check for compliance to the lease agreement by the Tourism establishments

To observe as to whether the eco-lodge owners consider environmental variables in the establishment

Number of inspected tourism establishment:

• 27 tourism establishments were inspected during the aforementioned period

Mode of transport for inspection:

• Aircrafts from the Okavango helicopters were used to airlift inspectors from Maun to the Delta

Expenditure for the inspection

• A total of 66 thousand pula was used to hire aero-plane and a helicopter to access camps where airstrips are either far from the establishment or is not available.

Methodology and the inspection card

• The controlled hunting area/camp/lodge management data. This portion focused on the activities offered by the lessee.

• Physical and technical aspects focused on accommodation offered and the environmental management aspects

• Staff living and working conditions (type of accommodation offered to staff)

• Training and development offered to staff by management of the establishment

• Natural resources and monitoring by the lessee

• Development status in the camp• Environmental management

within the establishment.• Nature of transport used by the

lessee

Findings by the inspection team in each establishment

• OWS eco-lodges Mombo, Vumbra. Little Vumbra and Duba were inspected on the 3rd of November 2008. The first three camps were found compliant,

• Duba camp staff village does not have proper fence. The inspection team found out that gates are left open and elephants do enter the staff village which could be detrimental to your staff.

Findings continues• Xugana, the fuel tank observed to

need bunding. However, other variables inspected were found to be in compliance

• Camp Okavango, it was also observed that your tanks needs bunding to avoid fuel spillage on the ground

• Camp Moremi, the inspection team observed that at the car wash bay there is no grease trap. Other variable were found being in compliance

•

Findings continue

• Flamingo investment’s eco-lodges, Chitabe and Chitabe Lediba Camp were inspected on the 4th November 2008. The inspection was for the compliance for the Lease agreement entered into with the Tawana Land Board.

• The inspection did not observe anything that is disturbing in the two camps.

Findings continue

• Elephant back safari’s eco-lodges Seba and Abu were inspected by on the 7th November 2008. The inspection was for compliance to the lease agreement entered with the land board. This is an annual event that is carried out to show compliance.

Finding continue

• Eagle Island, the disposal of the fire ashes in front of the staff village needs to be removed as it is not compatible with the environment where the lodge is located. There is no fencing around the staff village hence dangerous animals can easily endanger the lives of the employees. The old drainage system that includes soak away at the staff village leaves much to be desired

Findings continue

• Kwaai River lodge, there is no place to wash your vehicles; therefore, the greases from the vehicles pollute the environment such that the greases are not trapped

Findings continue

• Moremi Safari’s eco-lodge, Camp Xakanaxa was inspected on the 8th November 2008. we observed at the camp spillage of fuel near your generator where the area is not bunded. There were no grease trap at the bay where vehicles are washed. Though it was reported that the fat trap is scooped everyday, we did not see where the fat were deposited.

Findings continue

• Big Kwara, fuel tanks at this camp is not bunded.

• The used oil drums were put on top of a concrete flow. There was no grease trap at the bay for car wash

The staff village is not fenced, there is no shelter where the staff is suppose to eat such as dining. The soak away has not been attended to for a very long time. And the fat trap at the staff village leaves much to be desired

Findings continue

• & Beyond’s eco-lodge Nxabega was inspected on the 6th November 2008.

• Used oils were observed around the generator

• no grease traps at the bay for vehicle wash

The kitchen Zink was blocked and it looks have not been taken care of for a very long time

overnight camp that is in full operation and does not appear in the Tawana Land Board records

Findings continue

• Guns camp, we realize that they brought down their bush camp and did not informed Tawana Land Board to that effect. We also found that the fuel tanks are not bunded hence the spillage is affecting the soils.

• .

Pompom Camp, spills of oils was noticed around the generators and the garage. No grease traps where vehicles are washed. Fact traps at the kitchen and at the staff village were left unattended

Findings continue

• Shindi, the fuel tank needs banding and drums for used oils needs to be kept at banded places such that the oils do not spill on the soils as it is detrimental to the environment

• Kanana, bunding of fuel tanks was observed to be absent. The staff village like the Shindi is not fenced and it needs your attention as dangerous animals may harm your employees in times of sickness at night wanting to use ablutions.

Findings continue

• Camp Okuti, it was observed that the remains of the old camp are still there and needs to be removed. The grease traps at the car wash is that not convincing as it is not clear how it is scooped

Findings continue

• Delta camp, the staff village ablution showers are leaking and there are no shower curtains, staff housing is scattered and far from ablution, there is only one toilet functioning at the staff village.

At the time of inspection the septic tanks and soak away were not good condition. There were also ashes which were never attended to and it seems for a long time.

Findings continue

• Odd Balls, the camp is infested with unused and not serviceable items e.g. trailer, old stove. The fence for the solid waste is very low that elephants may easily eat the waste. There is no place for ash disposal as it is left lying in the camp.

• The staff housing is not fenced and there is a likelihood of danger when staff wants to use ablutions at night in time of sickness. Also at Odd balls the were 24 dugout mekoros in front of the camp and one wonders of the conservation of aged trees in the Okavango Delta.

Findings continue

• Tubu Tree, staff village not fenced and employees may be attacked by dangerous animals in time of sickness at night wanting to use the ablution block. No grease trap at the bay for washing cars. The fuel tanks needs to be banded and elevated from the ground.

• Jao, the fuel tanks were not bunded and elevated. There is no grease trap at the bay for car wash. The soak for the staff village leaves much to be desired. The staff village also needs to be fenced so as to avoid dangerous animal incidences.

Findings continue

• Kwetsani, the camp does not have a nicely built bay for car wash and even the grease trap is not constructed. The fuel tanks needs to be banded. Staff housing also needs to be fenced

• Jacana, there is no fence at the staff village to deter elephants from not entering. The sewage for the laundry, the corrugated irons are exposed

No banding for the fuel tanks as there were spills near the tanks. The car wash bay does not have a grease trap.