Publications
The relationship among naturally occurring radionuclides, geology, and geography: Tsodilo Hills, Botswana
High uranium concentrations, reaching up to 223 Bq/kg, were found in low-lying areas near Tsodilo Hills, Botswana, likely due to alluvial deposition from the hills themselves. This unique distribution pattern of naturally occurring radionuclides was mapped using in situ gamma ray surveys and GIS software, revealing a distinctive geographical relationship between uranium, potassium (258 Bq/kg), and thorium (31 Bq/kg) concentrations. The study suggests that uranium accumulation is primarily driven by sediment transport from the hills, with similar patterns observed along roads leading to the site.
Intangible Heritage and Tourism Development at the Tsodilo World Heritage Site
Heritage tourism at Tsodilo, Botswana, while economically beneficial, accelerates cultural change and may undermine the conservation aims of World Heritage status. The study finds that commodification through tourism transforms intangible heritage values, particularly for ethnic minorities, as communities are increasingly tied to self-reliance in a market economy. Using a case study approach, it analyzes the tension between heritage preservation (criterion vi) and the economic pressures of tourism development, examining how heritage management plans—modeled on community-based natural resource management (CBNRM)—reshape local identities and gender roles. The research highlights the political complexities of heritage conservation in Botswana, where national narratives of inclusion clash with the realities of ethnic marginalization and globalization.
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