Selemela Eco Park

The Ecological Park Concept was developed years back, the logic behind was to bring all activities that Somarelang Tikologo practically does, promotes and lobby for under one roof. In essence, the ECO-PARK is a total representation of the organization Somarelang Tikologo. The Key Objective of the park is to promote and demonstrate a range of environmental technologies. The development of the Park is being carried out in partnership with the Selemela Ward in Extension 4, Gaborone, Gaborone City Council and local individuals. The project is seen as a prototype development and precursor for other vacant and unused open spaces to be put to better community use. The total area of the park approximates 5.300m2

The Park is envisaged to have the following components

1.The ST Environmental Planning Program advocates for Proper Open Space Development. The Eco Park is an example of a space that was once a mismanaged area that made the surrounding area vulnerable to crime and had become a haven for stray animals. Today, the space has been fenced and is being development by Somarelang Tikologo in to what we call ‘THE ECO-PARK’. This program also lobbies for Urban Agriculture as a poverty alleviation strategy. A community vegetable garden, which is wholly organic, has been demarcated and fenced. This project is community based and shall commence as soon as water situations improve in the city.

2.The Recycling Drop Off Centre is a waste management component that promotes the internationally acclaimed Waste Management hierarchy of Reduce Reuse and Recycle. The public is encouraged to bring in their recyclable material to the center after they have gone through the first two steps of using as little material as possible (reduce) and using material for other uses other than the initial intended (reuse) before they can finally be brought to be considered for recycling. This component was the first phase in the development of the Park and is complete. It was launched on the 1st of September. Somarelang Tikologo continues to express heartfelt gratitude to the Kgalagadi Beverages Trust, the project sponsors for their support to Botswana’s environment.

3.The Resource Conservation program at ST promotes the prudent use of natural resources for sustainability. Water and Energy Conservation and vegetation are the main resources that ST has activities geared at promoting. The Eco Park shall therefore have rainwater harvesting for the irrigation of plants and other water needs, solar powered features for all the park lighting working on a dual system with the main’s electricity. All the plants in the park shall be indigenous with local fruit trees and flowering plants for shade, color and fragrance.

4.The Green Shop has been running within the ST office grounds for 2years. The sales outlet is   aimed at promoting the sale of recycled material and naturally harvested material. The Green Shop suppliers are mostly the rural women and youth who are mobilized by ST into eco-projects. The Green Shop will be moving to the Eco-Park where it shall operate. The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives has given ST to move the outlet to the New Eco-Park. Adjacent to the Green Shop, there will be a café that will be open throughout the day for drinks, snacks, with outdoor shaded seating.

5. Not very far from Green shop again will be an innovative playground for children of different ages. The British High Commission in Botswana donated the Playground construction funds.  The playground has been successfully completed and awaiting the launch of the park, however for safety reasons, it shall be officially opened together with the three buildings upon their completion.

6.  Shell Oil Botswana proudly sponsored the start up of the community organic garden in the Eco Park, after years of back yard gardening in the office yard, and a two year dry spell which dealyed the planting season, st expanded its production to the newly constructed garden in the park. P123,500 cheque was handed to Somarelang Tikologo, by the country Chairman for Shell Oil Botswana Mr Boitumelo Sekwababe in support of this project. The money was geared towards training the organic Gardener, installing the photovoltaic system which will be used to power irrigation in the garden. The garden drives the government's effort of trying to revive the Agriculture sector through the formulation of the urban agriculture policy, and it shall act as the demonstration tool for the public.

7. Water utilities has exclusively sponsored the development of the ablution block, which is envisaged to house several water saving devices and will also have interpretation signs to educate the public about water wise use.

Other components shall include security, educational boards and material for distribution, which have been accorded funds by the SADC-Regional Environmental Education Program, and an open space, which will include facilities for markets, concerts and environmental awareness events.

 This project is donor dependent, ST continues to seek funds for the development of the other remaining components. The completion of this project must be every Motswana’s pride, everyone is called, the government, sister NGO’s, private sector, parastatals, politicians, media houses and individuals can show their love for Botswana’s environment by helping in any way for the successful completion of this project.

                                  Eco-Public Recycling Drop Off Centre

Eco-Organic Garden		Eco-Playground