Botswana's Minister of Environment and Tourism, Wynter Mmolotsi, has called for integrated land use as the region embarks on promoting ecological conservation.

This call comes at a time when most of the countries in the SADC region continue to grapple with the deadly foot-and-mouth disease.

Speaking at the launch of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) project in Gaborone, Mmolotsi said countries must equally ensure that integrated land-use planning, veterinary management systems and migration measures are strengthened to address animal health concerns and national economic interests.

He said this initiative, therefore, presents an opportunity to advance integrated landscape management approaches that balance conservation, tourism, agriculture and socioeconomic development.

Mmolotsi said the expected outcomes are strategic and far-reaching, as the project will improve biodiversity monitoring and ecosystem management to ensure the long-term protection of critical habitats within the Kgalagadi ecosystem.

"This project is being launched at a time when the region continues to grapple with the persistent scourge of foot-and-mouth disease, which continues to negatively affect the livestock sector, household incomes, beef exports and the broader national economy. The wildlife-livestock interface remains one of the most sensitive and complex issues within conservation landscapes."

KTP, situated in the extreme southwestern corner of Botswana and adjacent to South Africa's Northern Cape Province, is a large wildlife reserve and conservation area in southern Africa.