Development of Spatial Planning Scenarios for Eco-Tourism Planning of Dikgatlhong Dam, Botswana

Abstract

Spatial and environmental planning of the fragile water ecosystems in semi-arid climatic conditions of Botswana and the Dikgatlhong Dam Land Lease Area (DDLA), as one of the country’s largest water reservoirs, present a complex task that requires the application of different methods and techniques. These techniques emanate from diverse fields and sub-fields of geography, hydrology, climatology, environmental science, engineering, spatial planning, cartography, tourism studies, etc. For that reason, an interdisciplinary project team has been assembled to embark on the application of GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS MCDA) to develop future planning scenarios applicable to different eco-tourism planning zones depicted in the Dikgatlhong Dam Tourism Master Plan (DDTMP). The results achieved through this systematic approach have helped clear the demarcation of individual land use planning zones of DDLA that need to be preserved, developed, maintained, and/or repaired in case of
potential ecosystem damage. It is highly expected that a similar approach can be applied in other parts of the African continent where expectations to support the quality of abiotic and biotic life are high for the benefit of today’s and future generations.