Development, degazettement, and drivers of human-wildlife conflict in Northern Botswana

The greatest challenge facing conservation today is making space for wildlife while balancing needs for economic development. In Kasane-Kazungula, in Northern Botswana, there is still space for wildlife – for now.... [ view full abstract ]

The greatest challenge facing conservation today is making space for wildlife while balancing needs for economic development. In Kasane-Kazungula, in Northern Botswana, there is still space for wildlife – for now. Infrastructure development over the past thirty years, from tarmac roads to an airport to a bridge, make tourism and other economic opportunities more viable. With this development come more people seeking economic opportunities. As a result, residential areas are encroaching on a protected area, the Kasane Forest Reserve. This study uses three Landsat images across a thirty year span to analyze the change in land cover over time, capturing the before and after of these major infrastructure developments. Change in land cover over time indicated a loss in forest over time and an increase in cleared areas. This study documents a loss of 2.25 km² of Kasane Forest Reserve to residential development.  Semi-structured interviews with community members in Kasane-Kazungula reveal a connection between the current development practices and increasing rates of human-wildlife conflict, especially with elephants. With no enforcement of the Forest Reserve’s protection status, this default degazettement sets dangerous precedent for the future of this and other protected areas.