Camel thorns for a cause

Last week ATC Namibia, a local tour operator, joined hands with Intelligence Support against Poaching (ISAP) Namibia, a non-profit anti-poaching NGO, to launch a 'Trees on Tour' initiative.The project is linked to the ISAP tree-planting project, a brainchild of ISAP Namibia that is aimed at ensuring that hundreds of camel thorn trees are planted throughout Namibia's iconic landscapes.ATC Namibia spotted a unique opportunity to support the project, launching the 'Trees on Tour' initiative with ISAP last week, which will allow tourists travelling through the country to plant trees, leaving behind more than footprints. Moreover, with each tree requiring a N$500 donation by the tour groups, which will be directed towards ISAP environmental programmes and projects, the initiative is set to help the non-profit organisation collect much-needed funding.On Thursday, Fritz Kaufmann and Yvonne von Holtz delivered 30 one-year-old Acacia trees to ATC Namibia to be distributed throughout the country. The idea is to allow clients embarking on tours custom-designed by ATC Namibia, to purchase a camel thorn tree, and with the help of a tour guide, to choose a suitable location to plant the tree during the tour.The GPS coordinates of the tree's location will be documented and the tree will be given a name.ISAP will track all the trees on their website, enabling tourists from all over the world to keep a close watch on their tree.Moreover, anyone interested in the project can keep up to date with the number of trees planted as well as their locations, to ensure the trees are cared for and to monitor their growth and health. ATC Namibia on Friday noted that with an average of 320 days of sunshine, and sufficiently hot days, trees in Namibia are a valuable source of much-needed shade in a dry, arid landscape, not only for humans but also for animals.Moreover, trees are a crucial source of food as well as a habitat for variety of birds, insects and other animals. Many Namibians still rely on wood to cook their daily meals, and take pleasure in braaing beneath blue and sunny skies.Since wood and shade is so cherished and precious in Namibia, ISAP decided to plant little camel thorn trees and distribute them all across Namibia whenever the occasion arises.ATC Namibia said last week the first camel thorn tree was successfully planted in mid-March, as part of its pilot project involving tourists traversing the country.The tour operator underlined they have long supported ISAP, and when the tree-planting project came to their attention, they decided they could support the cause. “Tourists, especially eco-tourists, are very particular about visiting sustainable establishments, helping and supporting NGOs and giving back in the form of a good deed. Since ATC Namibia knew this, we offered ISAP help in distributing the trees across Namibia and collecting the money from willing tourists, with the money going to a good cause and supporting ISAPs great and continuous efforts of protecting all valuable tourism attractions on Namibia,” ATC Namibia said.It also called on others in the industry to support the initiative. “Let us protect Namibia's heritage together to ensure that future generations and our visitors from all over the world still have the privilege to visit our beautiful preserved landscapes, have encounters with endangered species and wood to enjoy evenings under a starlit sky and around a fire.”ISAP meanwhile confirmed that the tree-planting programme is well under way, including a tree nursery where 500 seedlings will initially be nursed to grow strong before they are distributed by the public across the country.These plants will be available next year to the public for planting at no cost, as long as the coordinates of where they are planted are provided.JANA-MARI SMITH

Camel thorns for a cause

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-09

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Camel thorns for a cause

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-09

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