N$5.5m for wildlife protection
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
The Game Product Trust Fund (GPTF) has become increasingly important in protecting wildlife due to a lack of funding from government.
The GPTF has committed funding of more than N$5.58 million to several activities in the environment and tourism sector during the 2018/19 financial year. This information is contained in the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) of Namibia 2018/19 annual report that has just been made public. “The GPTF's role has become more important than ever. It has stepped in and filled the void that has been left by a lack of funding from the government. It is thus imperative that it is supported and strengthened for it to achieve its goals of providing funding for wildlife management and protection to promote the co-existence of people and wildlife,” the report said.
Funding breakdown
GPTF provided funding of N$2.5 million for the repair of vehicles and other equipment of the tourism ministry in national parks and in the regions, amongst others.
The fund provided more than N$66 000 for the purchase of materials for the Central Veterinary Lab, as requested, N$500 000 for the purchase of diesel for heavy equipment in the Etosha National Park, N$1.5 million for the purchase of rations for the police's anti-poaching units in national parks and N$180 000 for the erection of signage and the purchase of materials for the implementation on the ban of plastic in national parks.
According to the report, the GPTF was established to make available grants to emerging conservancies and wildlife councils for the purposes of implementing and maintaining projects and also to support measures aimed at improving the relationship between people and wildlife.
It also aims to support improvements in the monitoring, management, protection, sustainable use and development of wildlife resources in rural areas. The fund is annually capitalised with funds collected from the sale of trophy hunting concessions, the removal of problem animals, head levies on the live export of animals, the live auction of game/wildlife and the leasing of animals, as well as grants and donations.
WINDHOEK
The Game Product Trust Fund (GPTF) has become increasingly important in protecting wildlife due to a lack of funding from government.
The GPTF has committed funding of more than N$5.58 million to several activities in the environment and tourism sector during the 2018/19 financial year. This information is contained in the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) of Namibia 2018/19 annual report that has just been made public. “The GPTF's role has become more important than ever. It has stepped in and filled the void that has been left by a lack of funding from the government. It is thus imperative that it is supported and strengthened for it to achieve its goals of providing funding for wildlife management and protection to promote the co-existence of people and wildlife,” the report said.
Funding breakdown
GPTF provided funding of N$2.5 million for the repair of vehicles and other equipment of the tourism ministry in national parks and in the regions, amongst others.
The fund provided more than N$66 000 for the purchase of materials for the Central Veterinary Lab, as requested, N$500 000 for the purchase of diesel for heavy equipment in the Etosha National Park, N$1.5 million for the purchase of rations for the police's anti-poaching units in national parks and N$180 000 for the erection of signage and the purchase of materials for the implementation on the ban of plastic in national parks.
According to the report, the GPTF was established to make available grants to emerging conservancies and wildlife councils for the purposes of implementing and maintaining projects and also to support measures aimed at improving the relationship between people and wildlife.
It also aims to support improvements in the monitoring, management, protection, sustainable use and development of wildlife resources in rural areas. The fund is annually capitalised with funds collected from the sale of trophy hunting concessions, the removal of problem animals, head levies on the live export of animals, the live auction of game/wildlife and the leasing of animals, as well as grants and donations.
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