71 The Need to Institutionalize Life-Long Environmental Education in Botswana Johannes Mutanyatta Abstract This paper strongly argues for lifelong institutionalization of environmental education both in formal education systems and non-jormal adult education fashions. This should include the reactivation of indigenous cultural education rooted in the life style of the people. The paper provides pertinent learning and training strategies including social mobilization techniques, for raising people's awareness, popular participation and support systems. The paper concludes by observing that concerted e.fforts to achieve the countly's policy on sustainable natural resources conservation and development will vny milch depend on the manner and degree of institutionalization of environmental education which covers the life span of every person in society. There is need for lifelong environmental education processes and programmes. In the face of"changes in science and technology and the free market economic policies, sustainable environmental education will require imaginative, institutionalized. jimnal and non-formal, learning and training strategies to resolve disparities between political intentions and socio-economic realities. Vol. 9 No.2, 1995 Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies 72 Introduction The issue is on consciousness raIsmg on a global scale given that the environment is in peril. The contention that science and technology has enabled man to solve many problems, no longer holds true as it has at the same time resulted into harmful effects on a number of aspects of contemporary life. In essence, learning for adaptation, that is man's perception of the environment, goes beyond the awareness of sensory impressions to the acquisition of skill s and knowledge and the development of attitudes, beliefs and standards. Thus, the issue is on the triangular relationship between people, economy and environment, masked by technological civilization. Over the years, three-class typologies of human responses and attitudes regarding man's adaptation to the environment have emerged. These have been conceptualized in terms of man-under-nature associated with human attitude of passiveness and fatalism, man-with-nature associated with conservation oriented attitudes and man-over-nature, associated with technical interventionism (Burton et aI, 1978). The implication is that each type ofresponse and attitude lead to varying management strategies to the environment as for example, in the first category man-under-nature, man's survival as gatherers and hunters, was solely determined by nature. In the second category, man's relationship with the environment as a subsistence farmer, was that of harmonious balance or equilibrium linked to cultural adaptation and change. The grave danger to environmental misuse became associated with the third category: man-over-nature. The implication is that technological development, allover the world, has contributed to environmental deterioration. Because during his 7,000 years of recorded history, man has had to tackle the environment and control it. But through carelessness, economic greed, or ignorance, he has at times impoverished it. The process of expanding economic growth saw man using fire for hunting and itinerant agricultural purposes, the consequences of which laid forests bare, together with the disappearance of grass Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies Vol. 9 No.2, 1995 73 and other vegetation covering the soil. The results have been disastrous and in certain cases, irreversible. Known cases include soil erosion, deforestation, floods, drought, destruction of animals and plant life, and the turning of formerly fertile land into deserts. Industrialization and population explosion saw the growth of cities and the exodus of rural people to towns and cities to escape from rural poverty. In the nineteenth century the harmful effects of rapid economic growth due to technology became significantly apparent. Since then life has been threatened by factors such as pollution and noises in cities which continue to upset dwellers causing psychological disturbances, fatigue, mental anxiety and frustration. Despite this, people are increasingly becoming insensitive to the dangers of cultural and ecological disequilibrium. To underscore this, Edgar Faure ( 1993) observed that technology has already produced hannful effects. It has jeopardized and is still disturbing the balanced relationship between people and the environment, between the nature and social structures and between human physiological constitution and their personality. Irreversible ruptures are threatening humankind. What then is the cure'! For Edgar Faure ( 1993) the job of confronting these multiple dangers falls largely on education. Work to remedy the situation involves an all-out attempt to prevent such divisions; and to for~stall and counteract the dangers deriving from the technological ci vi Iization. Stimulating awareness of such dangers is a demanding new task for environmental education. And tor our paper we advocate measures that will constantly reinforce and sustain national policies on natural resources conservation and development. Naturally, people will continue to exploit the environment but this process should not be at the expense of environmental degradation. Thus, the focus IS on the need to institutionalize lite-long environmental educatIon 111 all spheres of influence _ be it social, economic and political. In this sense, we look at Botswana Government's environmental policy initiatives, as a case study. Vol. 9 No. 2/ 1995 Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies 74 The paper attempts to highlight the existing Botswana Government enviro~ental policies on natural resources conservation and development, strategIes and implementation; provide a brief evaluation of what has so far been done to implement the policy (1990 - 1994); list development constraints including a fragile ecosystem, drought, rapid population growth, (3.5% p.a.) illiteracy and rampant rural poverty; provide a rationale for the institutionalization of life-long environmental education and strategies and proposes research and evaluation agenda for entrenchment of environmental education. In discussing each of the above five issues, the paper observes with concern two axiomatic principles that: (a) Evolution in education, including the requirement of environmental education, is closely linked to that of social and economic factors such that educational strategy can only play its part efficiently if it is constantly related to the totality of National aspirations, needs and resources; and (b) conflict of interests or incompatible goals can affect policies and their impact. The implication is that the proposed institutionalized lifelong environmental education would need concerted efforts, political will and commitment in order to resolve the disparity between government political intentions and desired concrete actions such as the provision of materials and human resources. The National Conservation Strategies (NCS) The Botswana Government has taken strides forward to initiate a National Policy on National Resources Conservation and Development as reflected in Republic of Botswana, Government paper NO.1 of 1990, approved by National Assembly on the 17th of December, 1990. Thus, when Parliament approved the NCS and its white paper No, 1, it committed the country to sustainable development as a goal which emphasizes both conservation and development. Inevitably, conservation must be tied to human needs with a goal to achieve more equitable distribution of incomes and reward systems. This in turn must be linked to a change in attitudes of all members of society who use the Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies Vol. 9 No.2, 1995 75 environment, to become aware of the need to conserve natural resources for future generations. Indeed, the Botswana Government attaches great importance to the wide range of natural resources and features which exist throughout Botswana including national parks, ganle and wildlife management areas, fresh air, clean waters, vegetation, livestock and soils. It is recognized that it is upon these resources that many people depend directly for their livelihood. Indeed, it is clear that many of these resources are under pressure, and the concern is that these resources may be unable to sustain the needs of future generation. The main envirolilllental issues in Botswana requiring solutions include. Growing pressure on water resources, resulting from increases In livestock and human population and urbanization; degradation of rangeland pasture resources, due to a variety of management and other factors like overgrazing and drought; depletion of wood resources, both in commercial harvest of forests and as the main source of domestic fuels in most settlements. Wood harvesting has been largely undertaken in an uncontrolled manner; over-use or exploitation of some veld products - damaging regenerative capacities to provide for both subsistence and commercial needs; and pollution of air, water, soil and vegetation resources. As a result human life support systems in both urban and rural environments are affected. Indeed for Botswana the Government has long been committed to sustainable " . th development'. In essence, sustainable development entails ensunng at: Present generations consume no more than the annual output or yield of those natural resources which are renewable; and that r -P-ula-:-S-o-ts-w-a-na-Jo-u-rn-a-Io-t-A-tr-ic-an-St-ud-ie-s-----;V:7:0:-;-l. 9;-;N:i"::O:-. 02,-:11c9iQ9~5 76 Future generations have access to capital stocks of natural resources, at least similar to those presently available. To underscore the achievement of the above sustainable development objectives the Botswana Government has prepared a national conservation strategy (NCS), in full consultation with all levels of society in Botswana. The Government white paper outlines future strategy for the conservatio~. of natural resources. The strategy provides an overall framework for the polICies and measures which will enable the key issues to be effectively addressed, as well as the opportunities to be realized. The approaches include: a continuation of government intervention under which a combination of laws, price incentives and fiscal reliefs in effect determine the dominant land uses; the continuation of the present system of resource allocation based on reasonable rationing and zoning such as National parks, game and forest reserves, TGLP (Tribal Grazing Land Policy) ranches, freehold and leasehold farms, mixed fanning areas and designated wildlife management areas' and the multi-purpose (integrated) use and management of resources. In a nutshell, the government recognizes the importance of maintaining a strong livestock industry, in view of the overgrazing problems and emphasizes the diversification of the economy. Equally significant is that the Government recognizes the importance of popular Participation by all groups within the community towards implementing the NCS strategy. These include village elders and members, district councilors, local government, central government and parastatal officials, members of NGO community, private sector companies, teachers and researchers. Also, solution packages for the main environmental issues have been outlined; as well as expected benefits to various target groups, especially in livestock and arable farming. Furthermore, the government affirms that implementation of the NCS, involving all sectors of the community, will require the allocation and deployment of additional resources. Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies Vol. 9 No.2, 1995 77 It thus, accepts responsibility for providing the necessary lead by contributing resources to: The formulation and execution of all policies directed to the sustainable development and conservation of all natural resources: Water, rangelands, woodlands and timber, veld products and wildlife in particular; the establishment of the proposed new institutions; the provision of'solution packages' for environmental problems and development opportunities; the formulation and execution ofprojects at national, district ana village levels; the conduct of research and development programmes; the provision of conservation orientated extension services; the introduction of additional education and training facilities; the formulation and implementation of Environmental Impact Assessment procedures; the organization of promotional and information campaigns required in support of the NCS; the advancement of environmental data systems; the preparation of management plans for all Nationa~ Parks, Game/Forest Reserves, WMAs and other important conservatIOn areas and features; and Vol. 9 No.2, 1995 Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies 78 the provision of support and appropriate assistance to conservatio~ NGOs and private sector organizations in the execution of their responsibilities. Government accepts that implementation of the Strategy calls for the provision of significant additional resources, covering four specific requirements: First, these are resources required for both the establishment and operation of both the NCS Advisory Board and NCS Co-ordinating Agency. Second, there are the additional funds required to cover the adjustments within existing Government organizations, in order that they can play their full part in the implementation of the NCS. Thirdly, there will be the need for resources to undertake the special training, research and development, data collection, monitoring and promotional programmes. Fourth, a programme for the implementation of projects phased over a five year period, will need to be funded. In total, 42 priority project proposals have been recommended by the respective Ministries, in the course of preparing their NCS Technical Reports. It is recognized that, in implementing the Strategy, Government resources will need to be complemented by contributions from the private sector and the donors. It is intended to implement the Strategy through an Action Plan, which will be monitored as part of the National Development Plan (NDP) process. So far we have tried to higWight major concerns on Botswana NCS. It is noteworthy to next provide a brief evaluation of the NCS since its inception in 1990 to date. Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies Vol. 9 No.2, 1995 79 The Evaluation of the Botswana NCS (1990 - 94) Probably, in view ofthe nonna! Governmental bureaucratic system and red tape, it is too early to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the Botswana National Policy on Natural Resources Conservation and Development. This is because of the short period of four years since its inception, and therefore the observation to make is that it is still in its embryonic stage. However, from the discussion above it is clear that the Botswana Government has taken tremendous strides to establish national goals and objectives pertaining to a number of issues on environment and development. The white paper, No. I of 1990, has detailed several strategies in relation to National Policy on Natural Resources Conservation and Development. It has established a National Conservation Advisory Board which became operational in March 1992 following approval of the membership by Cabinet and the appointment of the executive secretary. The Board has statutory advisory powers with the major responsibility of coordinating the implementation of the NCS. The coordinating role of the Board entails the following: Consulting and cooperating with all institutions in ensuring that the objectives of the NCS are achieved; promoting the coordination of environmental policy formulation and implementation; liaising and supporting non-governmental institutions undertaking conservation projects; promoting the review and harmonization of existing environmental policies and legislation; -Pu-Ia-:-B-ot-s-w-an-a-J-ou-r-na-I-of-A-fr-ic-an--:-"St-ud"":":'ie-s----7,vwoI1, 9iliiJ.No:-.-::j2:-, 1