From May 2000 to August 2001, the Kalahari conservation Society (KCS) in Botswana and the Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) with support from a Namibian consulting firm, SIAPAC, conducted a socio-ecological survey to investigate the relationship between the Okavango River Basin and its residents. The Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) coordinates the Namibian part of the project and the DRFN is producing the information and education materials. It is funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida).

Because of the both natural and human impacts, the Okavango ecosystem is one of the most fragile of the world: its vegetation, wildlife, water and fish contribute to its sustenance and thus is one is tampered with, there is a chain reaction effect.

It is estimated that approximately 44 000 people live in the Okavango Region in Botswana and 114 000 live directly along the river in the Kavango Region in Namibia.

The “Every River Has Its People” project aims to promote the sustainable management of natural resources of the Okavango River with local-level community participation and, in turn, develop mechanisms to promote and facilitate participation between communities and other stakeholders, locally, regionally and nationally.

The intention is not only to gather information and encourage exchange between people, but also to facilitate the understanding among all major stakeholders of the problems local communities face and develop joint solutions to the most urgent problems.

Materials have been developed which we hope will help them take a much stronger standpoint in the management of their natural resources.