IPC MP says wildlife conflict compensation 'undermines dignity'

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) Member of Parliament (MP), Rodrick Likando, has criticised the current compensation of N$100 000 for a human life lost due to wildlife conflict, calling it inadequate and demeaning to affected families.Likando, who serves as the IPC’s shadow minister of environment and tourism, raised these concerns during a parliamentary session earlier this week while questioning environment minister Indileni Daniel.He argued that the Human-Wildlife Conflict Self-Reliance Scheme, which was introduced to provide relief, has been widely criticised for offering insufficient compensation, delays in payouts, and excessive bureaucracy, leaving many victims without the support they need.Likando also highlighted the fragile state of the tourism sector, which is a key contributor to conservation funding and rural livelihoods. “Underinvestment in infrastructure, over-reliance on international tourists, and a lack of support for community-based tourism initiatives continue to hold the sector back, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.Urgent measures neededIn light of these challenges, and within the framework of Vision 2030, the Sixth National Development Plan, and the Sustainable Development Goals, the MP posed a number of questions to Minister Daniel.He asked what immediate and long-term steps the ministry is taking to address the rising human-wildlife conflict, particularly in high-risk areas such as the Zambezi, Kunene, and Kavango regions, where communities continue to suffer the loss of lives, crops, and livestock.Likando also called for a review of the current compensation model, asking whether it would be updated to better reflect the true value of human life and economic losses, and whether the process would be made more accessible and efficient.In addition, he asked about strategies to revitalise the tourism sector, particularly through infrastructure investment, the promotion of domestic tourism, and support for community-led tourism enterprises.Community empowermentLikando also questioned what measures are being implemented to ensure local communities benefit meaningfully from conservation and tourism efforts. “They must not be seen as mere victims of environmental policies but as active partners and beneficiaries of sustainable development,” he said.Minister Daniel recently reported that N$9 million was paid out in the last financial year to 86 registered communal conservancies as compensation for crop and livestock losses. A further N$3.4 million was paid to communities outside conservancies for incidents involving deaths, injuries, and other damage caused by wildlife.In September 2023, the scheme’s payment rates were revised. Funeral compensation remains at N$100 000, while injury without loss of body parts increased from N$10 000 to N$15 000. Injury involving the loss of body parts rose from N$30 000 to N$40 000, and compensation for disability increased from N$50 000 to N$100 000.Livestock compensation also saw increases:- Cattle: from N$3 000 to N$5 000 (and later to N$8 000 in April 2024)- Goats: from N$500 to N$800- Sheep: from N$700 to N$800- Horses: from N$800 to N$1,500- Donkeys: from N$500 to N$1 000- Pigs: from N$700 to N$1 000Crop damage compensation increased from N$250 to N$1 000 per quarter hectare, and from N$1 000 to N$2 500 per hectare.Despite the adjustments, the ministry maintains that the N$100 000 human death compensation is “sufficient to cover funeral expenses”, noting it was already increased from N$5 000 in 2009 to the current amount in 2018.

IPC MP says wildlife conflict compensation 'undermines dignity'

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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IPC MP says wildlife conflict compensation 'undermines dignity'

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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