The delta of a magnificent river in Botswana has been declared a "World Heritage Site" by Unesco experts, paying tribute to this paradise — 7,770 square kilometres of water-rich plains, where channels, islets and lagoons sustain the life of thousands of animal and plant species, and which are home, among other things, to the largest elephant population on Earth.

In the list of World Heritage Sites, the Okavango Delta occupies the thousandth spot only by coincidence. At Doha, the capital of Qatar where the latest Unesco summit was held, a further 25 wonders were also "promoted".

Located in northern Botswana, far from seas and lakes, it is a unique natural environment. It is one of the most unusual ecosystems on the planet. The Okavango river flows for more than 1,000 kilometres before emptying into a complex and ever-changing floodplain formed by channels, lagoons and islands. Animals and plants have synchronised their biological cycles with the life of the river itself, in particular with its flood periods. It is a perfect example of the interaction between climate, hydrogeological and biological processes. Some of the most at-risk endangered species live here, such as the white rhinoceros, the black rhinoceros, the cheetah, the lion and the African wild dog.

The new status will put an end to the infrastructure projects looming over the region.