Forest products underutilised in Namibia

ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEKThe forest products industry in Namibia is underutilised, with trees being harvested as raw materials for foreign markets.Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said the ministry has, therefore, decided to strictly implement the provisions of the Forest Act, which restricts the exportation of unprocessed timber.“We want to encourage value addition of timber to ensure that it contributes to the socioeconomic development of our people.”Speaking at a National Arbor Day event held last Friday, Shifeta said it is estimated that about 1.6 billion people in the world rely on forest resources for their livelihood.Value additionAccording to him, the forest products industry is a major source of economic growth and employment, with the global trade in forest products accounting for US$175 billion in 2020.He added that it is also estimated that the forestry sector contributes about U$667 billion annually to global gross domestic products (GDPs), and provides employment to over 50 million people worldwide.Large-scale forest restoration is needed to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to prevent, halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity, he said.“While 61 countries have together pledged to restore 170 million hectares of degraded forest lands under the Bonn Challenge, progress to date has been very slow.”Forest restorationAccording to Shifeta, forest restoration, when implemented appropriately, helps restore habitats and ecosystems, create jobs and income and is an effective nature-based solution to climate change.Forests are increasingly recognised for their role as a nature-based solution to many sustainable development challenges, he said.“As such we must build on this momentum to catalyse bold actions to prevent and reverse the loss of forests and their biodiversity, for the benefit of current and future generations.”Shifeta further stressed that forests play an important role in the livelihoods of local communities, especially in developing countries where poor households directly depend on the use of these natural resources.“Culturally, forests have a spiritual role in some other areas as sanctuaries for traditional worshippers.”He said they also increase the attractiveness of rural landscapes, contribute to the reduction of soil/wind erosion and regulate air pollution in urban areas. Plant more trees“Forests conserve biodiversity by providing habitats for many flora and fauna. The forests and woodlands of Namibia contribute to desertification control by preventing soil losses that result from wind and water erosion,” the minister said.Given the significance of trees and forests, he added, Namibians are encouraged to plant more trees, because well-managed forests for production can provide various forest goods and services and help reduce the pressure on natural forests.“This must also be seen in the context of the increase in global wood consumption and the continued widespread reliance on wood energy.”Shifeta cautioned Namibians against activities that threaten forests, which include the expansion of land for agriculture, the cutting of wood for fuel and domestic use, clearing for infrastructure development, uncontrolled forest fires, selective logging through timber concessions, and unlicenced curio carving.Namibia has dedicated the second Friday of October as Arbor Day. The day aims to create awareness on the importance of conserving trees and discouraging human activities that threaten the sustainability of trees and forests such as deforestation.ellanie@namibiansun.com

Forest products underutilised in Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-31

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Forest products underutilised in Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-31

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