11 Jun 2024

The community of Damochujenaa has embarked on a litter picking exercise to minimise pollution and promote environmental conservation.

The exercise marked the commemoration of the World Environment Day, which was held at Damochujenaa on Friday under the theme; A Journey to a Greener Future.

Addressing residents of Damochujenaa on the day, Botswana Tourism Organisation’s tourism development manager, Mr Mokganedi Ntana urged the community to take stock of the environmental situation and make efforts to promote environmental protection and conservation.

He said building a sustainable community required collective efforts and shared commitment to environmental stewardship.

“Let us work together to sow the seeds of sustainability and cultivate a greener, healthier future for generations to come,” he said.

Mr Ntana also emphasised the empowerment of communities on the journey towards a greener future, adding that tree planting campaigns should be organised to enhance green spaces and combat deforestation.

Trees, he said, played a crucial role on absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, thereby improving air quality.

Kgosi Motsholetsi Kebalepile of Damochujenaa said deforestation was not tolerated in his village, therefore no issuance of permits to sell firewood had ever been done.

He said chopping wood was only allowed during funerals or fencing of ploughing fields.

Kgosi Kebalepile thanked the community for taking part in the litter picking exercises and growing trees in their homes to minimise waste pollution and to adopt safe environment practices.

Environmental health Officer from Bobirwa District Council, Ms Tathelelo Tapiso said environment was crucial to people’s wellbeing, urging Damochujenaa community to change their perspective on environmental issues and come up with ways to conserve the environment.

“This issue affects every individual including the government, so it is important to work as a team and have a positive impact on environmental conservation,” she said.

Ms Tapiso shared environmental issues that her department often encountered including illegal dumping of waste which could endanger the people’s lives.

She appealed to the community to avoid littering and take full responsibility to clean their surroundings.

Ms Tapiso emphasised the importance of keeping the environment clean in order to attract tourists and boost the economy, adding that a clean environment starts with a clean home.

Burning of waste, she said, was very harmful as it contaminated the environment including the atmosphere.

Ms Tapiso also highlighted that Bobirwa District Council had implemented programmes such as Buy a Bin initiative aimed at promoting environmental health.

This initiative, she said, encouraged Bobirwa residents to buy dustbins and benefit from the council’s free waste collection for a year.

The Department of Forestry donated 130 plants, which were distributed among Damochujenaa residents. Ends