odmp fire management plan inception report 24th march 2006

INCEPTION REPORT

VEGETATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN

COMPONENT 8

Presented by:

Dr W.S.W. Trollope – Project Leader

Ms L.A. Trollope

Mr C. de B. Austin

Mr A. Held

Mr C.J.H. Hines

EnviroNET Solutions Pty Ltd

South Africa

23rd March, 2006

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Table of Contents

Page

1. INTRODUCTION ..……..…………………… 5

2. OVERALL OBJECTIVE …………………………… 7

3. OVERALL GOALS …………………………… 7

4. OUTPUTS FROM THE PROJECT …………………………… 8

5. COMMENTS ON THE TERMS OF REFERENCE…………………………… 8

7. PROJECT ACTIVITIES …………………………… 9

8. PROJECT TEAM …………………………… 10

9. UNDERSTANDING OF THE REQUIRED STUDY………………………… 10

10. TECHNICAL DISCUSSION …………………………… 12

10.1 Collection, Assimilation, Analysis And Evaluation Of Information Pertinent To The Fire Ecology Of

The Okavango Delta Ramsar Site …………………………… 12

10.1.1 Objective …………………………… 12

10.1.2 Approach & Methodology …………………………… 12

10.1.3 Timing & Personnel …………………………... 13

10.1.4 Anticipated Difficulties …………………………… 13

10.2 Assessment of Current Strategies to Control FireIn the Okavango Delta Site …………………………… 14

10.2.1 Objective …………………………… 14


10.2.3 Timing & Personnel …………………………… 14


10.3 Identification of Deficiencies in Current KnowledgeOn Fire Ecology of the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site ……………. 15

10.3.1 Objective …………………………… 15

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10.3.3 Timing & Personnel ………………………..…. 15

10.3.4 Anticipated Difficulties ………………………..…. 15

10.4 Development of Initial Fire Management Strategyfor the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site …………………………… 16

10.4.1 Objective …………………………… 16


10.4.3 Timing & Personnel ……………………………. 16

10.4.4 Anticipated Difficulties ………………………….... 16

10.5 Fire Management Plan for the OkavangoDelta Ramsar Site …………………………… 16

10.5.1 Objective …………………………… 16


10.5.3 Timing & Personnel …………………………... 17


10.6 “On-the-Job” Training of Staff …………………………… 17

10.6.1 Objective …………………………… 17




10.7 Recommendations for Future Training and Capacity Building for Improved Fire Management …………………. 18

10.7.1 Objective …………………………… 18




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11 LIAISON & CONSULTATION ………………………….. 18

11.1 Department of Forestry & Range Resources ………………….. 18

11.2 Other Government Institutions ………………………….. 19

11.3 Other Okavango Delta Management Plan Consultants ………………………….. 19

11.4 Local Communities ………………………….. 19

11.5 Relevant NGO’s ………………………….. 20

12 PAST EXPERIENCE ………………………….. 20

13 MANAGEMENT, ORGANISATION & MANPOWER ALLOCATION ………………………….. 20

14 TRAINING OF COUNTERPARTS ………………………….. 22

15 FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT ………………………….. 22

16 REFERENCES ………………………….. 22

List of Figures

Figure 1. Key Activities that will be undertaken in the project ……………….. 9

List of Tables

Table 1. Members of the Project Team and theirroles and responsibilities ………………………….. 10

Table 2. The timetable extending from 1st March to 8th July 2006 ………………………….. 21

List of Appendices

Appendix 1. Rangeland Burning Questionnaire for Communities –Okavango Delta Management Plan (ODMP) …………………… 24

Appendix 2. Curriculum Vitea – Mr Anthony Emery ………………………….. 40

Appendix 3. Terms of Reference ………………………… 42

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1. INTRODUCTION

On the 4th April 1997, Botswana became a contracting party of “The Ramsar Convention” and listed the Okavango Delta as the world’s largest wetland of international importance. The Okavango Delta Ramsar Site is situated at the northern most edge of the Kalahari Desert in north western Botswana immediately south of the Caprivi Strip in Namibia. It is 55374 square kilometers in extent and is sustained by water from the Okavango River yielding between 8-15 thousand million cubic metres of water per annum from its catchment areas in Namibia and Angola (Appendix 1). Arising from this contractual commitment and in order to ensure the Delta’s conservation and wise use, the Okavango Delta Management Plan (ODMP) project proposal was drawn up in 2002 as a means: “to integrate resource management for the Okavango Delta that will ensure its long term conservation and that will provide benefits for the present and future well being of the people, through sustainable use of its natural resources”. The strategy that was adopted to achieve the implementation of the ODMP was amongst other things, to collectively create a greater sense of responsibility and accountability amongst communities and in existing institutions with a mandate to manage the Delta and its resources. In doing so, 10 components and their respective responsible institutions were identified. One of the primary and important components listed in the ODMP report was that of Vegetation Resources and its management is the responsibility of the Department of Crop Production (DCP), Ministry of Agriculture and Department of Forestry and Range Resources and the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism. This component has the responsibility “to ensure sustainable management of the Okavango Delta vegetation initiated and supported by providing accurate data and assisting in resolving vegetation management conflicts” This includes considering the ecology and use of fire in the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site where generally wild fires are perceived to be an increasing problem in terms of their frequency, severity and uncontrolled nature. This issue has been raised by both communities and tourism sector stakeholders during consultation meetings and their concerns are echoed by the large areas of the Delta, both in the wetland portions and the surrounding dry sand veld, that are seen to be burnt each year(Anonymous, 2004). This concern about the widespread occurrence of wildfires provided the motivation for initiating this project to study the fire ecology of the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site and formulate a fire management plan as part of the responsibilities of the Vegetation Resources component.

The vegetation of the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site can be divided into five broad vegetation units, namely, the Permanent Swamp in the north western Panhandle region of the Delta and extending south east into the fan of the Delta; the Burkea Woodlands on either side of the Permanent Swamp; the Seasonal Swamp adjacent to the Permanent Swamp in the fan of the Delta, the Mopane Woodlands surrounding the Delta in the north east and the Acacia Woodlands in the south west (Mendelsohn & el Obeid, 2004). From historical accounts it appears that fire has been used by the inhabitants of the Okavango Delta to burn the vegetation resources for different lifestyle practices for centuries. Tinley (1966) mentions that the Maswara River Bushmen who have inhabited the Delta since before 1750 “do considerable damage to the country by firing the flood plain grasslands, which sometimes burn for weeks”. In 1800 the Batawana community moved northward and settled in the Maun area where Stigand in 1923 noted that there were 500 dwellings at Maun and referred to the fact that they burnt the swamp and reed beds annually in preparation for ploughing. Despite fires being common and widespread in and around the

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Okavango Delta and as noted are an integral ecological process and historical land-use practice the fire ecology of the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site has until recently never been intensively and scientifically investigated. A major step forward have been the three recent post-graduate research projects conducted by Cassidy (2003) investigating the livelihoods and spatial dimensions of anthropogenic burning in the Okavango Panhandle, Heinl (2005) studying fire and its effects on vegetation in the Okavango Delta and Sento (2003) investigating the effects of fire threatening the production of thatch grass in the Panhandle. While all studies are highly commendable and significant scientific contributions to describing and understanding the fire ecology of the Okavango Delta they are all short term investigations that cannot fully describe the long term effects of burning on the vegetation in the different vegetation types in the Delta. Considerable information is available on the general effects of the fire regime on the non-flooded vegetation types in the Delta Ramsar Site from research conducted in the arid savannas elsewhere in southern Africa (Bond & van Wilgen, 1996; Trollope, 1982; Trollope, 1984; Trollope, 1999; van Wilgen et al, 2003). This opinion is supported by Heinl (2005) who concluded that the general response of the vegetation to fire in the drylands of the Okavango Delta is similar to the savannas elsewhere in southern Africa. However, long term data on the effects of fire on the vegetation in the Permanent and Seasonal Swamps is not available.

The concern for the negative impact of fire on the vegetation specifically in the dry sand veld areas is supported by a preliminary investigation conducted in 2005 by two of the consultants (Dr & Mrs Trollope) in Concession Area No 34 located north east of Maun and contiguous to the southern border of the Moremi Game Reserve. Observations showed that wildfires that had occurred during 2005 in Mopane Woodland with a sparse cover of pioneer grass species dominated by Aristida congesta, the herbaceous layer had been very negatively affected and converted into extensive areas devoid of herbaceous vegetation and prone to wind erosion. This observation led to the conclusion and recommendation that the Mopane woodlands in particular should be excluded from burning and wildfires should be controlled especially in normal to below average rainfall years as a matter of priority in this vegetation type. (Trollope & Trollope, 2005). Therefore an important element in the sustainable management of vegetation in the Delta is the development of a comprehensive fire management plan to control frequent wild fires that threaten to seriously damage and alter the vegetation resources and impact on rare and endangered species e.g. Slaty Egret and Sititunga habitats.

However, it should be borne in mind that the often perceived negative impacts of fire on the vegetation are the combined interaction of fire and herbivory. Therefore considering that the human population and its associated livestock numbers have increased considerably since early times, the perceived negative impacts of fire in the Delta region may also have been magnified by the interaction of fire and livestock rather than fire per se. This possibility also applies to the wildlife areas where the severe impact of increasing numbers of elephants in the Delta system may also have combined with fire to escalate the pressure on the Okavango Delta ecosystem. The interacting effects of fire and herbivory have been clearly and well documented in the Kruger National Park (Trollope et al, 1998) and in the Serengeti National Park (Dublin, 1995). Experience gained by field personnel of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) suggests that the Okavango Delta system is driven by an interaction of available water, fire and elephants (Personal Communication, 2006).

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Therefore in order to develop a meaningful fire management plan for the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site it is first necessary to develop a comprehensive description of the fire regime in the Ramsar Site i.e. type and intensity of fire and season and frequency of burning. This must be followed by an investigation of the fire ecology of the Ramsar Site describing the effects of type and intensity of fire and season and frequency of burning on the vegetation and fauna if possible. A description of the general fire regime and fire ecology will be possible for the drylands of the Ramsar Site (Mopane, Acacia & Burkea Woodlands) and will be achieved by drawing on the published effects of fire in southern African savannas and studying the reported investigations on fire in the Delta by Cassidy (2003), Heinl (2005) and Sento (2003). This will be more difficult for the Permanent and Seasonal Swamps because of the lack of long term research data both on the fire regime and fire ecology of these two vegetation units. However, indications on the season and frequency of burning will be obtained from satellite data analysed and summarized by Cassidy (2003), Heinl (2005) and Sento (2003). In addition to this information a preliminary assessment of the condition of the vegetation in relation to fire will be conducted in the aforementioned major vegetation types. This will be done using, where applicable procedures and quantitative criteria that have been developed in southern and east Africa to assess whether there is an ecological requirement and necessity for controlled burning as a management practice for the vegetation in its current and potential condition. Finally personal interactive surveys will be conducted using a standardized questionnaire with appropriate representatives from traditional communities, tourism sector stakeholders and relevant Government departments and divisions to determine their perspectives on the current reasons for burning and the fire regime and fire ecology of the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site.

2. OVERALL OBJECTIVE

The overall objective of the project is to gain an understanding of the impact of fire in the Delta and based on literature reviews and insights gained in the time allocated to the project and to develop a fire management plan for the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site in order to ensure sustainable use and management of the vegetation in the Delta and to control the frequent wildfires occurring in this unique African wetland ecosystem. 3. OVERALL GOALS

The goals in implementing the overall objective will be to:

3.1 Determine the basic causes of fire in the Delta and identify those that are natural and those that are of anthropogenic origin and where possible to establish to what extent anthropogenic fires are accidental or deliberate;

3.2 Determine the effects of fires on the major landscapes/vegetation types and the associated fauna;

3.3 Develop simple and practical quantitative ecological criteria that can be used to differentiate between areas that can be considered for controlled burning and areas where fire should be excluded to safeguard the productivity, sustainability and biodiversity of the ecosystem. Such criteria based on the botanical composition, cover and standing crop of the vegetation have been successfully developed and used for fire management in other savanna areas in southern and east Africa. Consequently one of the primary objectives of this study in the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site will be

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to develop similar ecological criteria that can be used to both control the occurrence of wildfires and to provide clear guidelines for the use of controlled burning as an ecologically acceptable management practice for the different systems of land use in the Ramsar site;

3.4 Use existing maps obtainable from the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Center (HOORC), the vegetation classification by Mendelsohn & el Obeid in 2004 and quantitative ecological criteria for identifying vegetation types in the Ramsar site with different potentials for supporting fires as a means of effectively preventing, controlling or managing wild fires with limited fire fighting resources; Based on data collected during field trips produce a fire management plan that:

States the ecologically permissible and non-permissible reasons for using fire as a range management practice;

Describes the fire regime in terms of type and intensity of fire and season and frequency of burning recommended for the permissible reasons for using fire as a range management practice;

Describes the post-fire range management recommended for areas used for different systems of land use;

Describes the practical procedures to be followed and equipment to be used for the successful and safe application of controlled burning;

Identifies aspects of the fire regime and its effects on the ecosystem that require further research;

3.5 Address the requirements of the Herbage Preservation Act relating to controlled burning that states that it is illegal and punishable by law to set the rangeland on fire that one does not have legal rights over. Clarify the administration of the Act and the requirements by relevant stakeholders for being able to use controlled burning as a range management practice in terms of the Act;

3.6 Involve Botswana Government staff and other relevant stakeholders in the development of the fire management plan thereby ensuring the necessary transfer of skills and knowledge for the management of fire in the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site.

4. OUTPUTS FROM THE PROJECT

The outputs from the project will be: Inception Report; Survey Report – Condition Of The Vegetation in the Okavango Delta Ramsar

Site Draft Final Report – Fire Management Plan for the Okavango Delta Ramsar

Site Final Report – Fire Management Plan for the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site

5. COMMENTS ON THE TERMS OF REFERENCE

The consultants find the terms of reference clear and appropriate for the development of a fire management plan for the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site.

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6. PROJECT ACTIVITIES

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S T

A K

E H

O L

D E

R S

Desktop Study

Inception Report

Planning Meeting for field trips to South West, West & North West of the Ramsar site

Data review & report preparation

Field assessments of range condition for burning in major vegetation types, interviews, fire management capacity & training needs

DFRR, DWNP, DWA

DFRR, DWNP, DWA

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Figure 1: Key activities that will be undertaken in the project

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8. PROJECT TEAM

Table 1: Members of the Project Team and their roles and responsibilities.

Name Project Role Responsibility

Professor Winston Trollope

Team Leader & Fire Ecologist

Design & co-ordinate technical programme, maintain project leadership, literature review, vegetation and Range Condition assessments, interviews, data analyses, compilation & presentation of reports, attend meetings

Ms Lynne Trollope

Technician

Literature review, vegetation & range condition assessments, interviews, data analyses, report compilation, assist with development of presentations, attend meetings

Mr Chris Hines Vegetation Specialist

Literature review, vegetation species identification, range condition assessments

Mr Chris de Bruno Austin

Fire Fighting & Management Specialist

Interviews, field assessment of fire management capacity, needs in fire training & capacity building, review of fire related acts, recommendations to inclusions & restructuring of Acts & Policies, training recommendations

Mr Alex Held Fire Fighting & Management Specialist

Interviews, field assessment of fire management capacity, needs in fire training & capacity building, review of fire related acts, recommendations to inclusions & restructuring of Acts & Policies, training recommendations

Mr Anthony Emery

GIS Specialist Will provide GIS capabilities where necessary (will be based at Head Office in Nelspruit, South Africa)

9. UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE REQUIRED STUDY

ENVIRONET Solutions (ENS) are well equipped to develop a practical and effective fire management plan for the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site because:

It has a team of highly experienced fire ecologists and fire managers that have been involved in researching the fire ecology of African savannas and developing practical fire management plans and training programmes for wild life management and domestic livestock systems in southern and east Africa for over 20 years. For individual experience refer to the attached CV’s for the different team members;

The research leader in this specific project will be Professor W.S.W. Trollope whose research career at the University of Fort Hare in South Africa focussed on investigating the effects of the fire regime in the savanna areas of the Eastern Cape

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Province and Kruger National Park in South Africa. In the last decade Professor Trollope assisted by his wife Mrs Lynne Trollope have extended this research program to include investigations into the fire ecology of the central highlands of Kenya and are currently involved in a research program in the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Besides conducting research on the fire ecology of African savannas Professor Trollope has been actively involved in translating these research findings into management plans that are being actively applied on commercial and communal ranching operations and in the Kruger National Park and Tsolwana Nature Reserve in South Africa, on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the Caprivi Region in Namibia and the Gile National Reserve in Mozambique. In addition Professor and Mrs Trollope visited the Okavango Delta in 2004 where they explored the extensive Permanent Swamp area in the Panhandle at Shakawe and acted as advising consultants for recommendations on fire management for Concession Area No 34 in the Okavango Delta in 2005;

Furthermore, Mr. Chris Austin together with Mr. Alexander Held have a thorough understanding of problems involving wildfires in Africa. Mr Austin is currently the implementing agent for the Working on Fire Programme in South Africa and the implementing agent for the Global Fire Monitoring Centre (GFMC)-Wildland Fire Training Centre Africa (WFTCA). The WFTCA was founded by Mr. Alexander Held as one of the first activities of the regional Sub-Sahara Wildland Fire Network - AfriFireNet. Mr. Held is currently acting as the coordinator of AfriFireNet;

Mr Chris Hines is a highly experienced plant and wildlife ecologist who until recently was resident in Namibia where amongst other activities he was the plant ecologist responsible for developing the vegetation map for the Caprivi Atlas headed by Mr John Mendelsohn from Namibia;

Mr Anthony Emery is a director in ENS and is a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) specialist with experience in the use and development of GIS systems in wildlife areas. He will be replacing Mr O.T. Lekoko, who was employed by ENS on a part-time basis and has now obtained a fulltime position with the United Nations. Mr Emery will attend to any GIS and mapping requirements associated with developing the fire management plan for the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site.

In conclusion, ENS fully understands the fire problem outlined in the Terms of Reference and feels well equipped to produce a practical integrated fire management plan for the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site.

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10. TECHNICAL DISCUSSION

10.1 Collection, Assimilation, Analysis And Evaluation Of Information Pertinent To The Fire Ecology Of The Okavango Delta Ramsar Site

10.1.1 ObjectiveCollect, assimilate, analyse and evaluate all existing information on fire (where, why, how often, effects of fire on different species.), including traditional knowledge, feedback from tourism operators as well as scientific studies within the Ramsar site, as well as information from elsewhere in southern Africa and in wetlands globally.

10.1.2 Approach & Methodology Conduct a review of literature on the effects of the fire regime (type and intensity of

fire and the season and frequency of burning) in African grasslands, savannas and wetlands. Use will be made of personal literature sources, fire literature on the internet, the library facilities at the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC) and the University of Botswana;

Undertake a minimum of a four week reconnaissance visit to conduct a preliminary assessment of the condition of the vegetation in relation to controlled burning in the major vegetation types in the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site. Use where applicable the procedures such as the Disc Pasture Meter for assessing fuel load and quantitative criteria developed in the Kruger National Park and elsewhere in Africa to assess whether there is an ecological requirement and necessity for controlled burning as a management practice for the vegetation in its current and potential condition. The Disc Pasture Meter is a technique developed by Bransby & Tainton (1977) that relates the settling height of a metal disc disc dropped onto the grass sward from a standard height of 60 cm. A general calibration reflecting the relationship between the settling height and the phytomass of herbaceous grass material holding up the disc from ground level has been developed for use in African grasslands and savannas by Trollope & Potgieter (1986) in southern and east Africa. The condition of the vegetation will be quantitatively assessed according to the procedure developed by Trollope et al (2005). This describes and relates the herbaceous species in the grass sward to a grazing gradient from a high to low grazing pressure using the categorization of the grass species into Decreaser and Increaser categories. Based on ecological criteria developed in the Kruger National Park (Trollope et al,1989) and successfully tested elsewhere in southern and east African grasslands and savannas rangeland will only be considered for burning if the grass sward is dominated by Decreaser and/or Inceaser I grass species and is in a moribund condition generally represented by a standing crop of herbaceous material ≥4000 kg/ha;

Conduct personal interactive surveys using a standardized questionnaire with appropriate representatives from traditional communities, tourism sector stakeholders and relevant Government departments and divisions to determine their perspectives on the current reasons for and fire regime (type, intensity, season and frequency) in the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site – see APPENDIX 1: RANGELAND BURNING QUESTIONNAIRE – COMMUNITIES OKAVANGO DELTA MANAGEMENT PLAN. The Consultants will conduct interviews with other Stakeholders using a similar questionnaire to gather data.

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10.1.3 Timing & PersonnelThe members of the consulting team responsible for achieving this objective will be Messrs Winston Trollope, Lynne Trollope & Chris Hines – for timing refer to Table 2.

10.1.4 Anticipated Difficulties Due to the abnormally high rainfall currently being experienced in the Ramsar Site

access to many areas is restricted and should water levels not subside sufficiently by the beginning of April when the field trips will be undertaken it may not be feasible to obtain an overall picture of the stratification of the vegetation in relation to the distribution of high and low impact zones for wild fires, or the current condition of the vegetation for planning purposes. It is necessary to categorize the vegetation into fire prone and fire sensitive types in order to assess the impact of frequent wildfires on these different vegetation types, especially the ecologically sensitive habitats.

The timing of the project does not coincide with the main fire season in the Delta i.e. August/September so it will be difficult to gain a comprehensive overview of wild fires and their spatial and temporal extent. Also because of the extensive area of the Ramsar site the only feasible method of gaining a true spatial understanding of the problem of wild fires would be to use aircraft but this has only become apparent from personal communication since arriving in Maun was not factored into the project budget;

It will be difficult to get accurate vegetation assessments during the project time scale because of seasonal variations in biomass. During the rainy season a high biomass develops whereas 4 months into the dry season the scenario is completely different due to mainly seasonal migrations of wild life resulting in high grazing pressures which changes the quantity of biomass present and therefore available fuel loads;

Comprehensive data gathering of traditional knowledge will involve a substantial amount of traveling and thus may be curtailed by restricted access, time limitations and may not be completely accurate due to the reticence of the parties involved to divulge all the necessary information;

Persons selected for interviewing during planning of data collection may not be available due to other commitments;

Due to staff shortages at DFFR and preplanned commitments for the Departmental staff it may not be possible for dedicated DFFR staff to accompany the consultants on all the field trips or even for dedicated staff to be present for training in the assessment techniques. This may seriously impact on knowledge and skills transfer;

Staff promotions and transfers to other Departments may dissipate the skills and knowledge transfer process in the long term.

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10.2 Assessment Of Current Strategies To Control Fire The In Okavango Delta Ramsar Site

10.2.1 ObjectiveAssess effectiveness of current strategies (e.g. fire breaks, education, etc.) and policies (i.e. burning allowed with permits) used to stem and control fire in the Ramsar site and the rest of Botswana and suggest alternatives.

10.2.2 Approach & Methodology Based on experience in other African countries the consultants will assess and

compare the current strategy used to stem and control fire in the Ramsar site and the rest of Botswana and prepare recommendations for the Botswana Government. The aforementioned experience includes:i) The consultants have been involved in the ongoing and challenging task of

restructuring and implementing the Veld and Forest Fire Act of the Republic of South Africa aimed at developing efficient legislation governing fire management applicable to all the sectors of the different population groups in South Africa;

ii) Experience gained while consulting for the Global Fire Monitoring Center in Germany involved in the development of the community orientated National Guidelines on Forest Fire Management in Namibia;

iii) Experience gained in a number of different African fire ecosystems while co-ordinating the regional Sub-Saharan Wildland Fire Network, AfriNet on a volunteer basis;

iv) Practical experience gained in active participation and administration of the Working On Fire Program in South Africa aimed at the control of disaster wildfires and the active application of controlled burning in different biomes to maintain and/or improve biodiversity.

Participate in the aforementioned personal interactive surveys using a standardized questionnaire with appropriate representatives from traditional communities, tourism sector stakeholders and relevant Government departments and divisions to determine their perspectives on existing fire policies and regulations in the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site and in Botswana in general – see APPENDIX 1: RANGELAND BURNING QUESTIONNAIRE–OKAVANGO DELTA MANAGEMENT PLAN.

Participate in applicable parts of the total four week reconnaissance visit to the major vegetation types in the Okavango Delta Ramsar site to obtain first hand impressions on the effectiveness of the current strategies, policies and regulations governing the control and use of fire in the Ramsar site.

10.2.3 Timing & PersonnelThe members of the consulting team responsible for achieving this objective will be Messrs Alex Held & Chris Austin – for timing refer to Table 2.

10.2.4 Anticipated Difficulties As noted in section 1.4 accessibility to the Ramsar Site may prove a problem in

completing a comprehensive survey and also availability of staff to act as guides and informers as to the current situation on the ground.

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Persons selected for interviewing during planning of data collection may not be available due to other commitments.

10.3 Identification Of Deficiencies In Current Knowledge On Fire Ecology Of The Okavango Delta Ramsar Site

10.3.1 ObjectiveIdentify gaps in existing information (e.g. outline additional habitats in the Ramsar site that require study, such as permanent swamp, dry land areas etc., as well as other areas of study and make recommendations for future work.

10.3.2 Approach & Methodology Arising from the review of literature on the effects of fire in the Okavango Delta

Ramsar Site together with information gathered during the reconnaissance visits assessing the condition of the vegetation in the major vegetation types, and interviews with stakeholders the consultants will identify gaps in existing information and make recommendations for future research work. Preliminary consultation has already highlighted the negative effect of wildfires on the endangered Slaty Egret habitat.

10.3.3 Timing & PersonnelThe members of the consulting team responsible for achieving this objective will be Messrs Winston Trollope, Lynne Trollope & Chris Hines – for timing refer to Table 2.

10.3.4 Anticipated Difficulties Access to the Internet is problematic as the ODMP offices have the hardware for

advanced connection but the system is dysfunctional; The DFRR has no internet or email facilities and in order for the Consultants to

install a private telephone connection either a residence permit or work permit is required by Botswana Telecommunications Corporation. Currently the DFRR offices in Gaborone are negotiating work permits.

Critical information may be unobtainable because of the dysfunctional internet facilities at the ODMP office

Ecological studies to date on the occurrence of fire using satellite imagery cover only focal areas in the Delta and not the Ramsar Site as a whole. Additional consulting staff, finances and time are not available to accurately identify gaps in the current fire information generated from satellite data and the interpretation of satellite imagery is not in the ToR for this project.

Difficulties of access to the Ramsar Site, available time and availability of persons selected for conducting personal interviews may impact negatively on developing a comprehensive assessment of the condition of the vegetation in all the major vegetation units and adequately describing the fire regime and fire ecology from interviews with the relevant stakeholders in the Ramsar Site.

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10.4 Development Of Initial Fire Management Strategy For The Okavango Delta Ramsar Site

10.4.1 ObjectiveUsing the available information, develop an initial fire management strategy for the Okavango Delta Ramsar site. This should contain clear recommendations on how fire can be better managed, on how existing policy can be adapted and adjusted to achieve this and on the sensitivity of different ecological zones and habitats to fire.

10.4.2 Approach & Methodology Based on the results of:

i) The review of literature;ii) The preliminary assessment of the condition of the vegetation in the major vegetation types;iii) The results from the personal interactive surveys with appropriate representatives from traditional communities, tourism sector stakeholders and relevant Government departments and divisions;

The consultants will develop an initial fire management strategy outlining the recommended fire regime and post-fire management for the wildlife and livestock areas in the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site. Special attention will be given to identifying sensitive ecological zones and habitats and formulating recommendations on how fire can be better managed, existing policy adapted and adjusted to implement the aforementioned initial fire management strategy for the wildlife and livestock areas in the Ramsar site.

10.4.3 Timing & PersonnelThe members of the consulting team responsible for achieving this objective will be Messrs Winston Trollope, Lynne Trollope Alex Held & Chris Austin – for timing refer to Table 2.

10.4.4 Difficulties Anticipated Difficulties Difficulties with the aforementioned access to internet facilities at the ODMP office

and the consequent non-availability of essential ecological information on the internet access may hamper a comprehensive review of literature.

10.5 Fire Management Plan For The Okavango Delta Ramsar Site

10.5.1 ObjectiveProduce a report that clearly outlines the findings from the aforementioned investigation e.g. ignition sources, temporal and spatial occurrence and effects of fire in the Delta, which will provide a useful management tool for both GoB institutions as well as other stakeholders.

10.5.2 Approach & Methodology Produce a comprehensive report on the fire ecology, recommended fire regime for

wildlife and livestock management in the major vegetation types in the Okavango Delta Ramsar site highlighting:

i) The ecologically permissible reasons for controlled burning;

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ii) The recommended type and intensity of fire, season and frequency of burning and post fire management;

iii) Recommended strategies and policies to stem and control the occurrence and use of fire.


10.5.4 Anticipated DifficultiesComplete temporal and spatial data is currently non-available on the season and frequency of burning for the Ramsar Site based on satellite imagery therefore as mentioned earlier an accurate description of the fire regime for these two components is currently not possible at this stage.

10.6 “On The Job” Training Of Staff

10.6.1 ObjectiveDeliver “on-the-job” training to staff of the Vegetation Component in delivery of the consultancy.

10.6.2 Approach & Methodology Consultants will be accompanied by local counterparts, as directed by DFRR, who

will receive on the job training in the assessment of the vegetation for controlled burning, calculating the Fire Danger Index, assessing Fire Weather and Fire Behaviour and the organization and procedures for conducting controlled burning (demonstrations are weather dependant).

Invitations will be issued to other Departments e.g. DWNP, DWA for inclusion of selected staff members to participate in on-the-job training.

Lectures and Power Point presentations will be delivered to Departmental staff and also students attached to HOORC and both groups will be included in field demonstrations and preliminary training where possible.

Where feasible selected community members will be invited to participate in field demonstrations based on availability of fire fighting equipment and fire crews, weather permitting.


10.6.4 Anticipated Difficulties Staff of DFRR will not always be available because of other work commitments.

Staff also may not be able to accompany consultants for the whole field component of the consultancy due to staff shortages and commitments so knowledge and skills transfer will be fragmented.

The high turn over rate of staff due to promotions and transfers will also impact on skills transfer.

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Inter-Departmental buy-in to the program might be hampered by time constraints and staff availability.

Inclusion of the Communities in skills and knowledge transfer as suggested by the reviewing committee may be difficult due to time taken to organize meetings and selection of community members to be involved. This is also not included in ToR but the consultants are willing to participate in as much skills and knowledge transfer as is feasibly possible.

10.7 Recommendations For Future Training And Capacity Building For Improved Fire Management

10.7.1 ObjectiveMake recommendations for future training and capacity building with the appropriate departments and stakeholders to facilitate improved fire management.

10.7.2 Approach & Methodology Based on the outcomes and findings and experience from the African Fire Network

(AfriFireNet) and the Wildland Fire Training Centre Africa, the consultants will present detailed training and capacity building recommendations. All activities will be coordinated with the DFRR and their proposed Fire Management Programme.

The consultants recommend the inclusion of the theory and practice of simple, user-friendly Range Condition Assessment techniques, the use of the Fire Danger Index for combating wildfires and controlled burning and scientific exposure to the concepts of Fire Behaviour and Fire Effects be included in the curriculum at Technikon and University level. This will ensure that future staff employed by relevant government departments have a working knowledge of basic fire fighting techniques, fire behaviour and fire management.

10.7.3 Timing & PersonnelThe members of the consulting team responsible for achieving this objective will be Messrs Alex Held & Chris Austin – for timing refer to Table 2.

10.7.4 Anticipated Difficulties The inclusion of vegetation monitoring fire related topics in Technikon and University

curricula will need by-in from the education authorities and a “champion” to drive the process for any degree of success.

11. LIAISON & CONSULTATION

The consultants will liaise and consult with the DFRR, other Government institutions, other ODMP consultants, local communities, relevant NGO’s using the following procedures and activities:

11.1 Department of Forestry & Range Resources:

Report to and hold regular weekly discussions and consultations with Mr Boikago Maswabi and his staff on progress with:

The review of fire literature;

21

Advice on the final formulation of the questionnaire to use for interviewing the different stakeholders. Interviews with key staff members will also be conducted to determine the views of the Department of Forestry and Range Resources on the fire regime, fire ecology and the effects and problem of wildfires in the Ramsar Site

Results of the personal interviews; Assessments of the condition of the vegetation in relation to fire; assessments on

the effectiveness of current strategies and policies to control and use fire in the Ramsar Site,

Transfer of fire ecological knowledge to Government and other relevant stakeholders;

Progress with the formulation of the draft and final fire management plans for the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site.

Of course weekly consultations will only be possible when the consultants are not busy with field surveys away from Maun but during these occasions they will be accompanied by a staff member from the DFRR thereby maintaining continuous liaison and consultations with the client.

11.2 Other Government Institutions

The primary form of liaison and consultation with the other Government departments will be in the form of personal interviews using the aforementioned questionnaire to obtain their views on the fire regime, fire ecology and the effects and problem of wildfires in the Ramsar Site. The Government departments that will be liaised with are:

Ministry of Agriculture MoA Ministry of Environment, Wildlife & Tourism MEWT Department of Water Affairs DWA Department of Wildlife & National Parks DWNP Department of Tourism DoT North West District Council NWDC Tawana Land Board TLB District Land Use Planning Unit DLUPU Department of Animal Health & Production DAHP Department of Crop Production DCP

11.3 Other ODMP Consultants

The primary form of liaison with the other ODMP consultants will be formal and informal meetings and discussions at the ODMP office and during the regular report back meetings held with consultants organized by the ODMP.

11.4 Local Communities

Liaison and consultation with the local communities will be in the form of the personal interviews using the aforementioned questionnaire to obtain their views on the fire regime, fire ecology and the effects and problem of wildfires in the Ramsar Site. Advice will be sought from the DFRR on the most relevant communities to liaise with in this regard.

22

11.5 Relevant NGO’s

As with the Government departments and the local communities personal interviews will be held with relevant NGO’s affected by fire in the Ramsar Site using the aforementioned questionnaire to obtain their views on the fire regime, fire ecology and the effects and problem of wildfires in the study site. Interviews will be organized with representatives from the following organizations:

International Union of Conservation IUCN World Wildlife Fund WWF Okavango Delta Management Plan ODMP Okavango River Committee OKACOM Harry Oppenheimer Research Center Staff HOORC Hotel & Tourism Association of Botswana HATAB Botswana Wildlife Management Association Tour Operators Photographic Concessionaires Hunting Concessionaires Contractors constructing firebreaks

12. PAST EXPERIENCE

As mentioned earlier ENS has wide experience with developing burning programs in South Africa, the Caprivi region in Namibia, Mozambique, Ngorongoro and Serengeti in Tanzania and the central highlands of Kenya. ENS is also involved in the Working on Fire Programme in South Africa and community based fire management programmes in Mozambique and Ghana. Involvement with AfriFireNet, the regional Sub-Sahara Wildland Fire Network also provides ENS with a broad perspective on the requirements for an integrated ire management plan for the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site.

13. MANAGEMENT, ORGANIZATION AND MANPOWER ALLOCATION

The time table to be used for the development of the Fire Management Plan for the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site is presented in Table 2. It should be noted that many of the activities will be conducted in the field and are therefore weather dependent and hence the time table must be used as a general guide that may have to be adapted when and if necessary.

23

Table 2: The time table extending from the 1st March to the 8th July, 2006 to be used for the development of the Fire Management Plan for the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site.

DAY MONTH ACTIVITY1 March Introductory Project Orientation with relevant officials in Gaberone2 March Travel from Gaberone to Maun by car3 March Organise accommodation and office space at ODMP in Maun 4 March Organise accommodation in Maun 5 March Organise accommodation in Maun

6 - 9 March Introductory Project Orientation with relevant officials in Maun

10 MarchIntroductory Project Orientation with relevant officials in Maun and preparation of Inception Report

11 - 14 March Preparation of Inception Report

15 March Duplication & circulation of Inception Report

16 March Presentation of Inception Report

17 - 30 March

Review of literature on fire ecology, current strategies, policies and regulations governing the control and use of fire in the Okavango Delta Ramsar site. Conducting interviews using BURNING QUESTIONNARE with representatives of different stakeholders in the Okavango Delta Ramsar site.

30 March Arrival of Chris Hines

31 March Review of Project progress with Chris Hines

1 – 2 April

Planning reconnaissance trip to the south western, western and north western regions of the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site to assess condition of vegetation in relation to controlled burning, fire ecology, current strategies and policies used to control fires in Ramsar site.

3 – 15 April

Reconnaissance trip to the south western, western and north western regions of the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site to assess condition of vegetation in relation to controlled burning, fire ecology, current strategies and policies used to control fires in Ramsar site.

16 - 21 April

Analyses of data & preparation of report on assessment of condition of vegetation in relation to controlled burning, fire ecology, current strategies and policies used to control fires in the south western, western and north western regions of the Okavango Delta Ramsar site

22 - 23 April

Planning for reconnaissance trip to the south eastern, eastern and north eastern regions of the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site to assess condition of vegetation in relation to controlled burning, fire ecology, current strategies and policies used to control fires in the Ramsar site.

24 - 5 Apr – May

Reconnaissance trip to the south eastern, eastern and north eastern regions of the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site to assess condition of vegetation in relation to controlled burning, fire ecology, current strategies and policies used to control fires in the Ramsar site.

6 MayReturn from reconnaissance trip to the south eastern, eastern and north eastern regions of the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site to assess condition of vegetation in relation to controlled burning, fire ecology, current strategies and policies used to control fires in the Ramsar site.

7 - 14 May

Analyses of data & preparation of survey report on assessment of condition of vegetation in relation to controlled burning, fire ecology, current strategies and policies used to control fires in the south eastern, eastern and north eastern regions of the Okavango Delta Ramsar site

15 May Presentation of report of Survey on assessment of condition of

24

vegetation in relation to controlled burning, fire ecology, current strategies and policies used to control fires in the south eastern, eastern and north eastern regions of the Okavango Delta Ramsar site

16 - 4May – June

Preparation of Draft Final Report

5 June Presentation of Draft Final Report 6 - 6 Jun – Jul Preparation of Final Report

7 July Presentation of Final Report

14. TRAINING OF COUNTERPARTS

All the consultants are prepared to be accompanied by selected local counterparts and to give on-the job-training. Not only in the research component involving the assessment of the condition of the vegetation in relation to controlled burning, but also training in calculating the Fire Danger Index, understanding Fire Weather and Fire Behaviour and the organisation and conducting of controlled burns.

Practical training in controlled burning will be provided to selected staff and community members provided there is an appropriate venue available, fire fighting equipment and adequate fire fighting labour available for the field exercise.

Basically, all activities displayed in the timetable can be attended by local counterparts. provided they attend to their own transport and accommodation.

15. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

The Consultant will have the following equipment available for developing the fire management plan for the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site::

ENS office in Nelspruit and ENS office in Gaborone including all office facilities including computers, fax and telephone;

4 Lap Top Computers;

2 hand held weather stations;

2 digital cameras;

2 FDI calculating charts;

2 4x4 vehicles.

16. REFERENCES

Anonymous, 2004. Terms of Reference Okavango Delta Management Plan Vegetation Resources Component: Sub-component 1: Development of a Fire Management Plan in the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site, Botswana. Agricultural Resources Board & Division of Forestry in the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Government Botswana: 1-12.

Bond, W.J. & van Wilgen, B.W., 1996. Fire and plants. Chapman & Hall, London. P:1 -263. ISBN 0 8050 14721.

25

Cassidy, L., 2003. Anthropogenic burning in the Okavango Panhandle of Botswana: Livelihoods and spatial dimensions. MSc Thesis, University of Florida, U.S.A.: 1-211.

Dublin, Holly. T., 1995. Vegetation dynamics in the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem; The role of elephants, fire and other factors. In: Serengeti II: Dynamics, Management and Conservation of an Ecosystem. Ed: A.R.E. Sinclair & Peter Arcese. Univ. Chicago Press, Chicago, London. 71-90.

Heinl, M., 2005. Fire and its effects on vegetation in the Okavango Delta , Botswana. Doctoral Thesis Nature Conservation, Technical University of Munich, Germany: 1 - 115.

Mendelsohn, J. & el Obeid, S., 2004. Okavango River – The Flow Of A Lifeline. Struik Publishers, Cape Town: 1-176.

Sento, S., 2003. Burned area mapping and vegetation recovery rates west of the Okavango Delta. Master Of Science, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana: 1-62.

Trollope, W.S.W., Trollope, L.A., Biggs, H.C., Pienaar D. & Potgieter, A.L.F., 1998. Long term changes in the woody vegetation of the Kruger National Park, with special reference to the effects of elephants and fire. Koedoe, 41, 2: 103-112.

Trollope, W S W., 1982. Ecological effects of fire in South African savannas. In: Ecology of Tropical Savannas. (ed) B J Huntley & B H Walker. Ecological Studies 42. Springer - Verlag, Berlin. 292-306.

Trollope, W S W., 1984B. Fire in Savanna. In: Ecological Effects of Fire in South African Ecosystems. (eds) P De V Booysen & N M Tainton. Ecological Studies 48. Springer - Verlag, Berlin. 151-175.

Trollope, W.S.W., 1999. Veld Burning In Different Vegetation Types: Savanna. In: Veld Management In South Africa. Ed. N.M. Tainton. University Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg. 236 - 242.

Trollope, W.S.W., van den Broeck, D., Brown, D., Webber, L.N. & Nibe, S., 2005. Assessment of veld condition in the thicket communities of the Great Fish River Reserve in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. African Journal & Forage Science, in press.

Trollope, W.S.W. & Trollope, L.A., 2005. Assessment of the need for controlled burning in Concession Area No 34 in the Okavango Delta in Btswana. Department Livestock & Pasture Science, University Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa: 1-11.

van Wilgen, B.W., Trollope, W.S.W., Biggs, H.C., Potgieter, A.L.F. & Brockett, B.H., 2003. Fire as a driver of ecosystem variability. In: The Kruger Experience. Eds. Johan du Toit, Kevin H. Rogers & Harry. C. Biggs. Island Press: Washington, Covelo, London: 149-170.

26

APPENDIX 1RANGELAND BURNING QUESTIONNAIRE for COMMUNITIES –

OKAVANGO DELTA MANAGEMENT PLAN (ODMP)

Note: This questionnaire will be used to determine the current fire regime and general fire ecology of the Okavango Delta RAMSAR site. It will form the basis for conducting interviews with various stakeholders in the RAMSAR site (government departments, local communities, lodges, tourist operators etc). The questionnaire will be completed by the interviewers under the guidance of Dr Winston Trollope and all information gathered will be treated as confidential.

1. Date: ……………………………………. Time: ……………………………….

2 NAME: …………..…...…………………………………………………………………….

1. GENDER: ………M: ……………….. F: …………………….

2. AGE: …………………………….

5. EMPLOYED: ……..Y ………………. N ……………………..

6. OCCUPATION: …………………………………………………………………………...

7. COMMUNITY: ……………………………… CHIEF: ...………...................................

7.1 KGOTLA: …Yes................. No..................

7.2 Tel: …………….... Fax: …………………… email: ………………………………

7.3 How many times in the last year have Kgotla meetings been held? …..……………

8. LOCATION:

GPS: S: ……………………………….. E: …………………………………..

8.1 Location Description: ……………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………..………………………………………………….

9. VEGETATION TYPE: ………………………..…………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………..…………..

10. Do you use fire for land use management? …Y ……………. N ……………

27

10.1 How often do you use fire in a year for land use management?

Once …………… Twice ……………… Three times …………More …………

11 FIRE ECOLOGY:

11.1 IGNITION SOURCES - % Controlled burns: …………………………………………………………….………. Uncontrolled burns: ………………………………………………………….………. Poachers: …………………………………………………………………….……….. Lightning: ………………………………………………………………………………

11.1.2 COMMENTS: ……………………………………………………………….……..

………………………………………………………………………………………………….…...

………………………………………………………………………………………………….…...

11.2 REASONS FOR BURNING Remove moribund/unpalatable grass: ………………………………………… Control undesirable plants: ……………………………………………………… Control ticks / parasite control: .………………………………………………… Control other livestock diseases: ………………………………………………. Clearing fields: ……………………………………………………...................... Game viewing: ……………………………………………………………………. Hunting: …………………………………………………………………………… Protection of buildings: …………………………..……………………………… Promoting fishing: ………………………………………………………………... Improving quality of thatch grass: ……………………………………………… Regeneration of reeds: ………………………………………………………….. Initiate rain: ……………………………………………………………………….. Provide protection from predators: ….…………………………………………. Other: ………………………………………………………………………………

12 CROPS:

12.1 Does the Village have crop fields in the flood plain? Y .…………N …………

12.2 Were any of the fields burnt by uncontrolled wildfires? ….Y ……...…..N …………..

12.3 Where did the fire originate from (Direction: N.S.E.W.)? ………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

12.4 In which month did the fire burn? ………………………………………………………...

12.5 What do you think is the reason why people start fires? …………………………..…..

28

………………………………………………………………………………………………

12.6 Do the Households use fire to clear the floodplains for cropping? Y …….. N ……...

12.7 How often do people have to clear fields using fire for planting? ………...…………..

13 LIVESTOCK:

13.1 Are livestock grazed on the flood plains? Y …………….. N ……………….

13.2 Was there a fire in this area last year? Y ………….. N ……………..

13.3 How was the fire started? …………………………...…………………………………….

13.4 Where did the fire originate from (Direction)? ……………..……………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………


13.6 What do you think is the reason people start fires? ……………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

13.7 How often does fire burn the grazing lands? ……………………………………………

13.8 Does fire improve the quality of grazing? Y …………… N ………………

13.9 Would you like have a regular controlled burning program for the grazing lands? Y …………….. N …………………..

13.10 Do you think the community would accept a controlled burning program and

adhere to it? … Y ………………… N ………………..

14 THATCHING GRASS:

14.1 Does your community/village collect thatching grass? Y ……………. N ………….


14.3 How was the fire started? …………………………………………………………………

14.4 Where did the fire originate from (Geographical)? ……………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………


29

14.6 What do you think is the reason people start fires? ……………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

14.7 How often does fire burn the thatching grass? …………………………………………

14.8 How often do you think it should be burnt? ……………………………………………..

14.9 When do you think is the best time for burning thatching grass? ………………….....

14.10 Does fire improve the quality of thatching grass? Y …………… N ………………

14.11 Would the community like to have a regular controlled burning program for the

thatch grass areas? Y …………….. N …………………..

14.12 Who do you think should be in charge of such a controlled burning program if it

was started? …………………………………………………………………………….


adhere to it? … Y ………………… N ………………..

15 REEDS:

15.1 Does your community/village collect reeds? Y ……………. N ………….



15.4 Where did the fire originate from (Direction)? …………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………


15.6 What do you think is the reason people started fires? …………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

15.7 How often does fire burn the reeds? …………………………………………………….

15.8 How often do you think it should be burnt? ……………………………………………..

15.9 When do you think is the best time for burning reeds? ……………………………......

15.10 Does fire improve the quality of reeds? Y …………… N ………………

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15.11 Were any reedbeds in the area destroyed before you were finished collecting?

Y …………………. N ………………….


reed areas? Y …………….. N …………………..


was started? …………………………………………………………………………….


adhere to it? … Y ………………… N ………………..

16 OTHERS:

16.1 Does your community/village collect palm leaves/water lily bulbs? Y …… N …….




………………………………………………………………………………………………



………………………………………………………………………………………………

16.7 How often does fire burn the palms ……………. water lily beds ……………………?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………...

16.8 How often do you think they should be burnt? ………………………………………....

16.9 When do you think is the best time for burning them? ………………….....................

16.10 Does fire improve their quality? Y …………… N ………………


areas? Y …………….. N …………………..

31


was started? …………………………………………………………………………….


adhere to it? … Y ………………… N ………………..

17 FISHING:

17.1 Is your community/village involved in fishing? Y ……………. N ………….

17.2 Were there fires in the fishing grounds last year? Y ………….. N ……………..



………………………………………………………………………………………………


17.6 What do you think is the reason people started the fires? ..…………………………...

………………………………………………………………………………………………

17.7 Does fire improve the fishing? Y …………… N ………………

17.8 Do you agree that burning is good for the fish? Y …………… N ……………..

17.8.1 Why? ..…………………………………………………………………………………….

17.9 How often should the fishing areas be burnt? …………………………………………..

17.10 When do you think is the best time to burn to improve fishing? ………………….....

17.11 Thatching grass and reeds should only be burnt later in the season, how do you

think the timing should be worked out so that everyone benefits? ………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………

17.12 would the community like to have a regular controlled burning program for the

fishing areas? Y …………….. N …………………..


was started? …………………………………………………………………………….

32


adhere to it? … Y ………………… N ………………..

18 HUNTING:

Reassure respondents (villagers) that this information is confidential and we won’t be asking for numbers or types of animals hunted.

18.1 Is anyone in the community involved in hunting? Y …………… N ………………




………………………………………………………………………………………………



………………………………………………………………………………………………

18.7 How often do the hunters burn the area? …………………………………………........



18.10 Does fire improve hunting? Y …………… N ………………

18.11 Do the hunting fires effect the grazing for the cattle? ………………………………...

18.12 Is this good or bad for the cattle? ……………………………………………………….


areas? Y …………….. N …………………..


was started? …………………………………………………………………………….

18.15 Do you think the community/concessionaire would accept a controlled burning

program and adhere to it? … Y ………………… N ………………..

33

19 GAME VIEWING:

19.1 What type of game viewing takes place? Photographic ……... Mokoros ………….




………………………………………………………………………………………………



………………………………………………………………………………………………



19.9 Does fire improve their quality? Y …………… N ………………

19.10 Do the tourists complain about seeing burnt areas? …………………………...........

19.11 Would the community/concessionaire like to have a regular controlled burning

program for the areas? Y …………….. N …………………..


was started? …………………………………………………………………………….


adhere to it? … Y ………………… N ………………..

20 CONTROLLED BURNING:

20.1 Criteria used for deciding whether vegetation needs to be burnt: ..……………...….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

34

20.2 Who grants permission to burn? ………….…………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

20.3 Burning permits issued by which Dept? .……………………………………………....

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

20.4 Are guidelines for controlled burning stipulated on permits? ..……………………....

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

20.5 Who applies controlled burns: .………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

21 Is there a fire team in the community? …Y …………… N ……………….

21.1 If yes how many members in the team? ……………………………………….

22 How is it co-ordinated? ………………………………………………………......

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

23 Is the fire team successful in its efforts to control wild fires? Y …… N ……

24 Training/Experience of burning crew: ……………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

25 Further training in controlled burning required? Y ………….. N …………

26 Steps taken to contain controlled burns:

26.1 constructed fire breaks: ………………………………………………………………….

26.2 natural fire breaks: ………………………………………………………………………..

26.3 Who constructs them? …………………………………………………………..............

26.4 Are they maintained? …..Y …………………. N …………………

26.5 How often are they maintained? ………………………………………………………..

27 Available equipment for burning:

27.1 Starting fires:27.1.1.1 drip torch: ………………………………………………………….27.1.1.2 other: ……………………………………………………………….

35

27.2 Controlling fires:27.2.1 knapsack sprayers: ……………………………………………….27.2.2 beaters: ……………………………..……………………………..27.2.3 bakkie sakkie/slip-on unit: ……………………………………….27.2.4 protective clothing: ………………………………………………..

27.3 COMMENTS: ……………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

28 WILD FIRES:

28.1 What do you do when you see a wild fire / uncontrolled fire?

a) report it? ….Y ……………… N ……………………b) to whom? …………………………………………………………………………c) assist in suppression …………………..d) refuse to assist with suppression ………………………e) do nothing about it ………………………

29 FIRE MANAGEMENT

29.1 What fire management policies/strategies are in place that you know of? ………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

29.1.2 Which management strategies do you think should be utilized or are most

appropriate for use? …………………………………………………………………….............

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

29.2 Do you have fire management resources? …..Y ………… N ……………

29.3 What level of management skills do you/ your organization/ community have? …..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

29.4 What would be your main objective in fire management? ……………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

29.5 What capacities/ resources would your organization/ community need to meet

36

these objectives? …………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

29.6 Would your organization/ community be willing to invest money in own capacity/

skills development? ……Y …………… N …………………

29.7 Would your organization/ community make use of fire contract management

services if they existed? ….Y ……………. N ………………

29.8 Do you/ the community see a benefit in having a Fire Danger

Rating System? (Daily Fire Danger Index)? Y …………. N ……………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

29.9 What level of support do you/ the community expect from government? ….….….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

29.10 How do you feel about fire management partnerships

a) with government ………………………………………………………….…………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) with your neighbours (maybe all role players in the RAMSAR site) …………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

to be able to share resources and skills to develop fire management objectives and to meet these objectives?

29.11 Do you/ the community know of existing Fire Awareness Programs in terms of fire and its effects on the environment and society? Y …………….. N ……………….

29.12 Where are they practiced in the Delta? ………………………………………………

37

30 FIRE REGIME:

30.1 TYPE OF FIRE:

30.1.1 Point ignitions: ………………………………………………………………….….…….

30.1.2 Perimeter ignitions: ………………………………………………………………..…….

30.1.3 CONCLUSIONS: ….……………………………………………………………….…….

Head Fires: ………………………………………………………………………………..Back Fires: ………………………………………………………………………………...Combination Head/Back Fires: ………………………………………………………….

30.1.4 COMMENTS: ...…………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

30.2 FIRE INTENSITY:

30.2.1 Do you burn - Grazing land ……… Thatch grass …….… Reeds ……..…

Preparing land for Crops ………

30.2.2 How hot was the fire?Cool, slow moving with low flames: .……………………………………………….Medium: ………………………………………………………………..……………...Fast and very hot with tall flames: .…………………………………………………

30.2.3 How much grass/plants?: …… Ankle high …………. Calf high ………..

Knee high …………… Shoulder high …………

30.2.4 Was the grass/plants green or dry?: ..………………………………………….…...

30.2.5 How dry?: All dry ………… Some brown ………… How much? ……………….

30.2.6 How hot was the day of the fire?: Cool ….…… Hot …..…… Very Hot………….

30.2.7 Was there any wind?: Y……… N………… How strong?………………….….….

Light breeze ………….. Medium ………………… Strong ………………………

30.2.8 COMMENTS: ..…………………………………………………………………………...

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

38

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

30.3 SEASON OF BURN:

Start burning season:………………………………………………………..……….End burning season: ……………………………………………………….………..Preferred season of burn: …………………………………………………………..

30 3.1 COMMENTS: ..…………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

30.4 FREQUENCY OF BURNING:

Every year: ……………………………………………………..………………….….Every 2 nd year: ..………………………………………………….……………….…Every 3 rd year: ………………………………………………………..…………......Every 4 th year: …...………………………………………………………..…………Infrequent: ……………………………………………………………………..………

30.4.1 COMMENTS: ..…………………………………………………………………………...

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

31 GRAZING MANAGEMENT AFTER BURN:

31.1 Livestock Farmers:

Immediate grazing after burn: …………………………………………………... Rest before grazing after burn: ………………………………………………….

31.1.1 COMMENTS: ...…………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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31.1.2 Type Livestock - %Cattle: ………………………………………………………………………………………Sheep: …………………………………………………………………………………......Goats: ……………………………………………………………………………………...Donkeys: …………………………………………………………………………………..Horses: …………………………………………………………………………………….

31.1.3 COMMENTS: ...…………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

31.2 Wildlife Areas

31.2.1 Size of Burnt area (ha)? Small: ……………………………………………………………………………… Medium: …………………………………………………………………………… Large: ………………………………………………………………………………

31.2.2 COMMENTS: ...…………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

31.2.3 Immediate grazing after burn: …………………..……………………………………...

31.2.4 Delayed grazing after burn: ………………………..…………………………………...

31.2.5 COMMENTS: ...…………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

33 GENERAL COMMENTS ABOUT CURRENT USE OF FIRE (What is your opinion?)

33.1 REASONS FOR BURNING: ..…………………………………………………………...

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

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33.2 FIRE REGIME:

33.2.1 Type of Fire: ……Head/with wind ……………… Back/against wind…….……..…

33.2.2 Fire Intensity: … Cool ……………Medium…………………Hot………………………

33.2.3 Season of burn: Spring………Before rain? ……… After rain? …………………

Summer…………Autumn………Winter……………...

33.2.4 How often should areas be burnt?: …………………………….....

Every year: ……………………………………………………..………………….….Every 2 nd year: ..………………………………………………….……………….…Every 3 rd year: ………………………………………………………..…………......Every 4 th year: …...………………………………………………………..…………Infrequent: ……………………………………………………………………..………

33.2.5 Grazing management after burning: ……………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

33.2.6 Research requirements: …………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

33.2.7 COMMENTS: ...…………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

34 IMPACTS AND THREATS OF WILDFIRES:

34.1 Personal Safety: ..…………………………………………………………………..…….

………………………………………………………………………………………….

34.2 Infrastructural Safety: ..……………………………………………………………..……

………………………………………………………………………………………….

34.3 Crop farming: ..……………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

34.4 Livestock farming: ..…………………………………………………………………..…..

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…………………………………………………………………………………………..

34.5 Tourism: ..………………………………………………………………………….………

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

34.6 Hunting: ..……………..……………………………………………………………….…..

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

34.7 Fishing: ..…………………………………………………………………………………...

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

Thank you for your time, co-operation and information. It is appreciated and we will organize to provide feedback to the Community through the Department of Forestry and Range Resources.

W.S.W. Trollope, L.A. Trollope, A. Held & C.de B AustinENVIRONET SOLUTIONS

22nd March, 2006

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APPENDIX 2: CURRICULUM VITEA – MR ANTHONY EMERY

1. PERSONAL DATA

Family Name: Emery First Name: Anthony

Year of Birth: 1971-05-05

Civil status:

Number of children (below 18 years of age): 2

Nationality: South African

Country of Permanent Residence: South Africa

2. EMPLOYMENT RECORD(Most recent employment first)

Employer's Company Name: From month/year to month/year

Position with the Company:

EnviroNET Solutions (Pty) Ltd

January 2002 - Present Director

Mpumalanga Parks Board 1999 - 2002 Co-ordinator Information Management Systems

Mpumalanga Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

1996 - 1999 Environmental Officer of the division Data Management

3. EDUCATION

Institution (University, etc.), City and Country:

From month/year to month/year

Degree/Diploma and year obtained:

University of Cape Town 1993 Bachelor of Science

Majors: Zoology and Botany

University of Cape Town 1994 Bachelor of Science, Honours

Honours: Zoology Department

University of Cape Town 1996 Master of ScienceMasters: Conservation Biology at the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology

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4. LANGUAGE SKILLS

Language: Formal Education:

Speaking skills:

Reading skills: Writing skills:

English English Mother tongue Mother tongue Mother tongue

Afrikaans English Average Average Average

5. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 5 Years of experience in Geographic Information Systems, 2 years at the Department of Environmental Affairs and 3 years at the Mpumalanga Parks Board as the co-ordinator of the Information Management Systems. Responsibilities included the total management and running of an Information Management and GIS office. This has included the setting up of the office, financial management, staff management, management of software and hardware, hardware and software support, analysis of data, capturing and cleaning of data, data storage and training. 5 Years of experience of working with GIS programmes ArcInfo, ArcView, Spatial Analyst, Pathfinder Office, and CyberTracker and database programme MS Access.

2001: Strategic Environmental Assessment of instream flow requirements for Mpumalanga Province. Responsible for the management of the project, design of analysis and prioritisation methodology, analysis of spatial information, modelling of species distributions, the write-up of the Landscape and Vegetation communities chapters, and

the editing and compilation of the final report.

2000: Wetland mapping in the Mpumalanga Province. Designing techniques for the mapping of wetlands and the design and creation of appropriate databases.

2000: Rhino monitoring using CyberTracker. Responsible for the management of the CyberTracker software and database.

2000: Managing natural resource harvesting in a protected area: the use of a GIS tool to predict harvesting pressure from diffuse and defined access points. In conjunction with Lyndon D. Estes, Jane K. Turpie and Marc Stalmans. I was responsible for the design and analysis of the GIS component of the project.

1998: Mpumalanga State of the Environment Report. Responsible for the collection and analysis of spatial information, and editing of chapters. Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism internal report.

1997: Environmental audit on the N'Komati Irrigation Expansion Project.

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Agricultural Resources Board & Division of Forestry in the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism

and Range Ecology Section in the Ministry of Agriculture

and Okavango Delta Management Plan, Project Secretariat

______________________________________________________________________________

TERMS OF REFERENCE

ODMP Vegetation Resources Component

Understanding and managing fire in the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site, Botswana

______________________________________________________________________________

May 2005

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1. BACKGROUND

1.1 On the 4th April 1997, Botswana became a contracting party of “The Ramsar Convention” and listed the Okavango Delta as the world’s largest wetland of international importance.

1.2 In order to ensure the Delta’s conservation and wise use, The Okavango Delta Management Plan (ODMP) project proposal was drawn up in 2002 as a means “to integrate resource management for the Okavango Delta that will ensure its long term conservation and that will provide benefits for the present and future well being of the people, through sustainable use of its natural resources” (ODMP, 2002).

1.3 The strategy that will be utilised to realise the implementation of the ODMP is to, amongst other things, collectively create a greater sense of responsibility and accountability amongst communities and in existing institutions with a mandate to manage the Delta and its resources. In doing so, 9 components and their respective responsible institutions were identified as follows:-

- Policy, Planning and Strategy by the Department of Environmental Affairs

- Communication by the Department of Environmental Affairs- Research, data management and participatory planning by Harry

Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC)- Hydrology and Water Resource by Department of Water Affairs (DWA).- Fisheries by Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP),

Fisheries Division- Wildlife Management by Department of Wildlife and National Parks

(DWNP).- Sustainable Tourism and CBNRM by the Department of Tourism (DoT),

Maun and the North West District Council (NWDC)- Settlement development planning by the NWDC Physical Planning Unit

and the Department of Town and Regional Planning (DTRP).- Sustainable Livestock Management by the Department of Animal Health

and Production (DAHP)- Vegetation Resources by the Department of Crop Production (DCP),

Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Resources Board (ARB) and Forestry Division, Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism

- Landuse Planning and Land Management by Tawana Land Board (TLB) in association with the District Land Use Planning Unit (DLUPU).

- Waste management – NWDC Environmental Health Department

There will also be active stakeholder participation in the main stages, an association of international stakeholders and an integrated planning process.

1.4 The ODMP requires the Department of Crop Production (DCP), Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Resources Board (ARB) and Forestry Division, Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, collectively known as the Vegetation Resources component “to ensure sustainable management of the Okavango Delta vegetation initiated and supported by providing accurate data and assisting in resolving vegetation management conflicts” (ODMP Project Proposal 2002)

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1.5 Wild fires are perceived to be an increasing problem in the Okavango Delta, both in terms of their frequency, severity and uncontrolled nature. This issues has been raised by communities, the tourism sector, scientists and other stakeholders during consultation meetings. Their concerns are echoed by the large areas of the Delta, both in the wetland itself but also in the dry sand veld surrounding the wetland, that are seen to be burnt each year

1.6 It is apparent from this that existing policy and structures for managing fire are neither adequate nor effective

1.7 An important element in the sustainable management of vegetation in the Delta is thus the development of a more effective fire management strategy to better manage the frequent wild fires occurring within the Ramsar site.

2.0 AREA OF STUDY

2.1 The Okavango Delta is situated at the northern most edge of the Kalahari Desert in north western Botswana, below the Caprivi Strip in Namibia. It is the largest designated inland wetland in the world and is fed by the water of the Okavango River with between 8-15 thousand million cubic metres of water per annum from the river’s headwaters in Namibia and especially Angola.

2.2 The proposed study is to be conducted within the newly proposed boundaries of the existing Okavango Delta Ramsar site (see Map 1).

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Map 1 Proposed new boundaries of the existing Okavango Delta Ramsar site – boundary for the proposed contract

3.0 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

3.1 Overall objective

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The overall goal and objective is to develop a fire management strategy

3.2 Specific activities

a) Collect, assimilate, analyse and evaluate all existing information on fire (where, why, how often, effects of etc.), including traditional knowledge, feedback from tourism operators as well as scientific studies within the Ramsar site, as well as information from elsewhere in southern Africa and in wetlands globally.

b) Assess effectiveness of current strategies (e.g. fire breaks, education etc.) and policies (i.e. burning allowed with permits) used to stem and control fire in the Ramsar site and the rest of Botswana and suggest alternatives.

c) Identify gaps in existing information (e.g. outline additional habitats in the Ramsar site that require study, such as permanent swamp, dry land areas etc., as well as other areas of study) and make recommendations for future work.

d) Using the available information, develop an initial fire management strategy for the Okavango Delta Ramsar site. This should contain clear recommendations on how fire can be better managed, on how existing policy can be adapted and adjusted to achieve this and on the sensitivity of different ecological zones and habitats to fire.

e) Produce a report that clearly outline findings from analysis of information, e.g. on why fires start, where they start, when they start, how often they occur and what their effects are. This should be aimed at developing an enhanced understanding on the causes and effects of fire and provide a useful tool to both GoB institutions as well as stakeholders.

f) Deliver “on-the-job” training to staff of the Vegetation Component in delivery of the consultancy

g) Make recommendations for future training and capacity building with the appropriate departments and stakeholders to facilitate improved fire management

4.0 REPORTING SCHEDULE AND TIMING OF WORK

4.1 The study shall take 130 days

4.2 The client for this contract is the Vegetation Resources component of the ODMP. The consultant engaged to deliver this contract will report directly to the staff of the Vegetation Resources component and the Okavango Delta Management Plan Project Secretariat.

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4.3 The consultant will be expected to be based in Maun for the duration of the contract. Office space will be provided by the ODMP Project Secretariat. All meetings will be held in Maun.

4.4 A “Task Force” responsible for technical input and steering of the contract has been established and the consultant will be expected to report their progress to that group. At each milestone during delivery of the contract. The composition of the Task Force is as follows:

(a) Vegetation component staff – Mr Kemoreile, Forestry; Mr Maswabi, ARB; Mr Dithapo, Range Ecology (Chair)

(b) Physical Planner, DTRP/NWDC – Mr Fanuel Kibakaya(c) ODMP Project Coordinator – Portia Segomelo(d) ODMP Chief Technical Advisor – ?(e) Appointed ODMP officer) Tawana Land Board – Mr Shimane Mongati(f) District Officer (Development), North West District – Mr. G. Macha(g) District Officer (Lands), North West District – Mr Ramsden(h) Dept. of Tourism – Felicity Rabolo(i) Dept. of Wildlife and National Parks – Regional Wildlife Coordinator (S.

Mosojane), CE&O officer (Claudia Zuze), Research (Lettie Pitlagano)(j) NGO reps, e.g. KCS, CI, People and Nature Trust(k) Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre – Hannelore Bendsen, Mike

Murray-Hudson, Caspar Bonyongo etc.(l) Dept. of Animal Health and Production – Mr Gaebope(m) Other members to be co-opted as and when necessary

4.5 The Consultants shall commence work not later than two weeks after award is made and the instruction to proceed is given. The consultant will be expected to prepare and submit to the Vegetation Resources component and the Task Force the following reports:-

a) An Inception Report (5 digital and 15 hard copies) within 2 weeks of signing of the contract. This report will detail proposed methodologies, timing, required resources and a detailed plan for the delivery of training as an integral part of the delivery of this subcomponent

b) Brief progress reports to be delivered at progress meetings on a monthly basis. Progress reports should outline provisional results, challenges faced etc

c) A Draft Final Report (5 digital and 15 hard copies) to be produced within 5 months of the signing of the contract

d) A Final Report (5 digital and 15 hard copies) to be produced within one month after discussion of the Draft Final Report

4.6 The exact timing for each of these reporting stages should be aligned with the schedule of reporting for the ODMP in order to ensure integration of this contract with all other aspects of the wider ODMP project.

4.7 The consultant will be expected to establish a relationship with other consultants working under the ODMP and to work with them wherever necessary and appropriate in the

50

achievement of their aims and the overall aim of the ODMP. It will also be important for them to establish a thorough understanding of the ODMP and its institutions.

4.8 The consultant will be expected to consult with tourism operators in the Delta to establish their position on fire in relation to activity a) above. Feedback from communities has already been established through ODMP project consultation and by work done at the HOORC.

4.9 All reports will also ultimately be subject to consideration and approval of the ODMP structures, i.e. the Project Management Group, the Okavango Wetland Management Committee and the ODMP Project Steering Committee. Reports from this contract will be incorporated into the ODMP Framework Management Plan, the Draft Management Plan and the Final Management Plan.

5.0 OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

5.1 A desktop study to ascertain all existing information and the full background to this area of research should be conducted. This should make reference, but not be limited, to the following:

Social and ecological study, Every River Project Southern African Red Data List (IUCN), Report No.14, 2002) Extensive fire study including effects and causes (2000 – 2003), SAFARI 2000 (Vol 1-3) SAFNET – Southern African Fire Network (www.safnet.net) Okavango Delta Management Plan, Project Proposal (April 2002) Vegetation Resources component Draft Inception Report for the Okavango Delta

Management Plan CITES checklist of endangered and threatened plant taxa (2003) Fire research documents from the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre and

the University of Botswana and partners, including but not limited to the following: Heinl, M., Reconstructing the fire history of the Okavango Delta, Botswana

(southern part) 1989-2003. 2003, Vegetation Ecology, TU Muenchen, [email protected]

Fire and its effects on vegetation in the Okavango Delta, Botswana (www.weihenstephan.de/vegoek/forschun/feuchte/engheinl_DA.html)

Fire Regime and vegetation response in African savannah ecosystems (Model site: Okavango Delta, Botswana) (www.wzw.tum.de/vegoek/personen/heinl/engindex.html)

Other similar fire studies, either published or grey literature, from southern Africa, especially Kruger National Park, RSA

Herbage Preservation Act (1974)

5.2 Some fieldwork to collect and verify information may be required; if so, the consultant will be expected to provide all their own fieldwork equipment and vehicles

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http://www.wzw.tum.de/vegoek/personen/heinl/engindex.html

http://www.weihenstephan.de/vegoek/forschun/feuchte/engheinl_DA.html

mailto:[email protected]

5.3 These Terms of Reference, any proposed amendments and/or the consultants proposed modus operandi may be discussed with the potential client prior to submission of the tender and commencement of the study

5.4 The consultant should undertake consultation with other government institutions, especially those directly involved in the delivery of other aspects of the ODMP, as well as NGOs etc. The consultant should be aware that this contract is being delivered as just one small part of a much larger, integrated and comprehensive management plan for the Okavango Delta and should be prepared to work with this in mind.

6.0 QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE OF CONSULTANT

6.1 The consultant will require proven expertise in fire ecology, botany and taxonomy and should have experience of work either directly in the Okavango Delta, Botswana or the Southern African region. Experience of work with communities and other stakeholders, knowledge of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing and mapping, experience in model development and an ability to deliver comprehensive on-the-job and other training would be a distinct advantage.

6.2 The consultant must submit documents including a detailed resume showing capacity to undertake the contract as well as their proposed methodology to deliver the contract objectives.

7.0 FINANCIAL DETAILS

7.1 The consultant should include a full financial bid as part of their overall submission. This should include:

a) Transport (mode and kilometres expected)b) Accommodation (number of days expected)c) Subsistence (number of days expected)d) Printing and Documentation (based on the schedule of reports) and;e) Any other costs (specify accordingly)

8.0 SCOPE OF THE PROPOSAL

7.1 Those tendering shall submit five sealed copies of two separate proposals covering Technical and Financial Proposals.

7.2 The Technical Proposal should outline the following: -

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Proposed methodology, including a detailed plan for the delivery of training Details of relevant qualifications and experience of the consultant and any other staff

to be employed on each the subcomponent.

7.3 The Financial Proposals shall be based on personnel and time inputs for the subcomponent delivery as detailed in the technical proposals, with a complete breakdown of time allocated and rates charged for each personnel input.

8.0 CURRENT ON-GOING WORK

8.1 Those tendering shall disclose all current on-going similar or related work and anticipated completion dates, for the client to assess the consultant’s capability of giving total commitment and timely delivery of the contract, given the short time span and urgent need for this work.

8.2 Failure to disclose this information shall result in disqualification of the tenderer.

9.0 PAYMENT

9.1 All payment in relation to this project shall be in Botswana Pula. Payment for staff input and associated reimbursable costs will be made upon the receipt and subsequent Task Force consideration and approval of the milestone reports as already outlined.

9.2 The proposed payment schedule is as follows:

a) 20% upon approval of the Inception Reportb) 30% upon completion of three months contractc) 20% upon approval of the Draft Final Report and;d) 30% upon approval of the Final Report

10.0 SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

10.1 Five copies of both the Technical and Financial Proposals shall be submitted to Agricultural Resources Board Secretary in Maun. The proposals shall be submitted in separate, sealed envelopes and clearly marked:

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a) “ODMP Vegetation Resources Component. Fire contract – Technical Proposals” for the Technical Proposals, and;

b) “ODMP Vegetation Resources Component. Fire contract – Financial Proposals” for the Financial Proposals.

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odmp fire management plan inception report 24th march 2006

Documents