Environmental organizations are raising the alarm over mining for oil and gas in the world's largest cross-border nature reserve, known for its biodiversity and unique landscapes.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Bhuiyan
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Drilling for oil in paradise
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Five African countries have joined forces to protect the region around the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Botswana.
The transnational Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, or KAZA, is known for its biodiversity and unique landscapes. It is home to 500 bird species and a diverse variety of mammals, including elephants, buffalos, rhinos, lions and leopards. Even wild dogs roam the region.
The delta is fed by several large rivers, and because border fences have been dismantled in many places, wild animals can once again migrate and follow the water along their former routes.
This gives African elephants in particular more space, and conflicts with humans are becoming less frequent. In addition to national parks, there are also so-called "conservancies" in the protected area where people live. These locals are involved in the conservation measures and are supported in developing ecotourism. The German government is involved in supporting KAZA through the Reconstruction Loan Corporation (KfW).
Now the nature reserve is under threat. The Canadian company Recon Africa has begun drilling for oil and gas in the Namibian part of the reserve, and further oil production is to follow in Botswana.
Environmentalists warn of consequences for the ecosystem. The oil wells and associated heavy traffic are expected to cause considerable pollution of the waters. Local and international nature conservation organizations are calling for an immediate ban on drilling.
A film by Julia Mielke
Protecting the biodiversity of Colombia's unique wetlands
When the river Magdalena in Colombia bursts its banks the water flows into a cienaga, a unique wetland bursting with invaluable biodiversity. Today, climate change has put this under threat.
Image: DW/Juan Zacarías
A unique wetland
It might look like a lake from above but it is actually a cienaga, a hillscape with fields and forests that transforms into a wetland when the river bursts over its banks. This area is a unique habitat and home to many diverse species. In Colombia alone there are around 1900 cienaga. The biggest of them, the Zapatosa, is under threat.
Image: DW/Juan Zacarías
Palm oil production squeezes natural resources
There are many reasons driving this threat. The forest is being cleared to make space for fields and palm oil production, which guzzles water resources and disturbs the natural balance of the environment. There are increasingly regular droughts, which destroy the trees that provide shade to the river bank.
Image: DW/Juan Zacarías
Toxic newcomer: the water hyacinth
More invasive plants, like the water hyacinth, thrive in these conditions. The plant spreads quickly and prevents light reaching plants beneath, resulting in those in the water dying and fish unable to find enough food. The thick green coverage of plants slows down the flow of water, causing silt to gather on the banks.
Image: DW/Juan Zacarías
Refined taste
There is a good reason why the horses stand in the water like this. Aside from cows, they are the only animal able to stomach the toxins in the water hyacinth.
Image: DW/Juan Zacarías
A local source of life
The people living in this area often fish in the river without interference from any big fishing companies. They’ve introduced special measures in order to maintain the levels of fish: nets are big enough to allow smaller fish to slip away, and protected areas have also been created.
Image: DW/Juan Zacarías
Keeping the trees alive
Reforestation is also an important part of protecting the environment here. Seeds have been collected in the region and planted in tree nurseries by locals.
Image: DW/Juan Zacarías
Life in the shade
Trees like these offer fish shade and food by the river bank. Animals also benefit from eating the fruit that falls into the water. A steady food source results in lots of offspring, which in turn means a good catch for the fishermen. Through the care of newly planted trees the locals are taking control of their futures.
Image: DW/Juan Zacarías
The thriving back garden farms
Locals are also growing food in "family gardens" to prepare themselves to survive the dry periods. Many of the houses already have a little piece of land which previously lay uncultivated. Today they are full of fruit trees, vegetables and herbs.
Image: DW/Juan Zacarías
Curious creatures
Some locals also keep animals to provide them with meat and eggs. The neighbors organize among themselves who grows what to ensure a good diversity of food and so they can later trade with each other.
