A noticeable feature of the region under review is that 90 % of the population lives within 10 km of the Okavango River. There is consequently a high demand for land and natural resources in this narrow belt. The rapid population expansion since the start of the Angolan civil war, the increased sedentarisation of livestock and people, and the poor agricultural practices along the river margin have led to a general loss of productivity of the riverine system. The resource base supporting the highest human population densities in Namibia is being compromised through overexploitation, poor extension and no management.