Botswana is a water scarce country. Rainfall is highly variable, leading to limited surface
and groundwater resources. Due to persistently dry conditions most rivers found in
Botswana are ephemeral. The Boteti River sub-Basin is one of the numerous ephemeral
river sub-Basins, in Botswana. Key environmental challenges, resulting from human
activities, in the sub-Basin are: increased pressure on local resources due to overstocking,
overgrazing and over-harvesting; reductions in wildlife numbers; denudation of
vegetation and the resultant exposure of the soil to wind erosion. As a major step, to pilot
implementation of river basin management in the ephemeral river basins in southern
Africa, the Boteti River sub-Basin is one of the key areas identified for study under the
Ephemeral River Basins in the Southern African Development Community SADC (ERBSADC)
Project. This study was initiated, as part of the ERB-SADC project and its aim is
to investigate the socio-economic status of the Boteti River sub-Basin and determine the
potential for developing integrated management of water and land resources in the sub-
Basin. Its key objectives are to identify and assess types and patterns of water use; to
identify and assess key livelihood activities; and to critically assess community
participation in water resources management in the sub-Basin. A questionnaire was
administered to 293 households, a focus group discussion was held with twelve
community representatives of six villages in the sub-Basin, six traditional leaders and
five local government officers were interviewed as key informants, and informal
discussions were held with three local farmers. Results from the study indicate low
livelihood levels based on livestock and arable agriculture, high dependence on natural
resources and low participation of communities in water management. The study
concludes that a livelihood approach to integrated water resources management can help
deal with environmental challenges and enhance community participation.