In the recurrent budget, the Wildlife and National Parks got the lion's share of P178,751,110 while Waste Management and Pollution Control got P183,525, 400.Khama informed the House that efforts to diversify the tourism product and its geographical location have not been fruitful as tourism contributes less than five percent to the gross domestic product (GDP).He said that the implementation of community-based tourism projects is at an advanced stage as symbolised by Phase II for Tsabong Camel Park, which consists of camping ground with ablution facilities, equipping of a borehole and water reticulation around the park, rehabilitation of a burrow put within the par, construction of storage facility, development of nature trails with observation hides, construction of meru tents for accommodation and construction of staff accommodation facilities.
The Phase II project for Kasane Recreational Park and Cultural Village is expected to be complete by end of this month. The phase entails the development of an information centre, picnic areas, curio shop, walking trails and a viewing deck. The aim of the project is to increase the length of stay of the visitors in the area.The minister said that they are experiencing setbacks due to poaching for commercial and subsistence purposes. He however thanked the law enforcement agencies for intensifying efforts to combat poaching through anti-poaching strategies.
