An Incalculable Loss To Tourism
EDITOR
We carry a story about the Gcwihaba Caves that were gutted by fire over the weekend. This is sad news for tourism.
It is even more depressing that the this should happen at a time when the National Museum, Monuments and Art Gallery was expecting Unesco to declare the caves a world heritage site. In recent weeks, veldt fires have torched vast swathes of territory in our country. The causes of these fires remain unidentified, though in some cases it is suspected that people were responsible. Members of the public have been urged to go and help put out the fires. Some have heeded the call while others have flatly refused.
We want to encourage Batswana and everyone resident in this country to regard putting out these fires as a duty. It is about responsible citizenship. The flora and fauna that is being destroyed by these fires belongs to all of us and we are robbed when the eco-balance is disturbed. We take the opportunity to applaud all those who have responded with promptitude and duty to calls to help put out the fires. Your reward lies in your sense of allegiance and patriotism. We know that you gave it your best. You came across strong winds and other elements, which did not make the task any easier, especially that some of our numbers had decided to stay behind. Last week, we carried a story suggesting that Tsodilo Hills were also ravaged by the veldt fires that have gripped the country in recent months. Thank goodness, the treasured hills have not been affected, though the fires are reported to be within 13 kilometres of them. We urge all those who live in the neighbourhood of Tsodilo and adjacent places to rally behind the Department of Forestry in its efforts to protect our only world heritage site. Both Tsodilo Hills and the Gcwihaba Caves are of invaluable palaeontogical interest and immense tourist appeal that contribute to our forex earnings. We must all help preserve these areas - for ourselves and for the wide world.
