Millions to address human-wildlife conflict

The German government, through the KfW Development Bank, has contributed 10 million euros towards the Community Conservation Fund of Namibia to address human-wildlife conflict and mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in Namibia’s communal conservancies.Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta said this at the handover of funding projects and grants under the “Poverty-Oriented Support to Community Conservation in Namibia (POSCCIN) project” to beneficiaries in Kunene south.At the event, beneficiaries received grants co-financed by Germany through the KfW Development Bank and the Namibian government.Shifeta said human-wildlife conflict and community livelihoods are at the centre of the Community Based Natural Resource Management Programme.He said an increase in wildlife is a success story for Namibia but also leads to increasing human-wildlife conflict incidences.He said as a balancing measure, the ministry continues to implement important initiatives to ensure that communities benefit from the abundant natural resources in the area.According to him, communal gardens and livelihoods have been negatively affected, taking away from the livelihoods of the community, negating the gains from tourism, and becoming a potential barrier to unleashing the full biodiversity-based economic potential of wildlife for people.Needs-based approachShifeta said under the POSCCIN project, the measures financed were identified through a participatory process with the communities.Key measures implemented included 39 predator-proof kraals to protect livestock from predators and 22 boreholes, which have been identified and are in various stages of upgrading.Furthermore, nine early-warning collaring systems, including warning towers, were implemented, and 20 lions have been collared. Thirty-seven lion rangers received training equipment and were financially supported through the expansion of the lion ranger programme to conservancies.Training manuals have been prepared, and a low-footprint camp has been constructed to help with patrols and continued research.“The Kunene lion ranger programme has been so successful that communities in other regions, such as Zambezi and the North Central regions, have been selected to replicate it.”Benefit for allHe said the fencing and electrification of 22 km of the Hobatere southern boundary fence has been a notable achievement.“This collaborative approach followed in the repair and electrification of this fence between our ministry and the neighbouring communal conservancies has resulted in notable cost savings and efficiencies.”Shifeta said the ministry has adopted this approach to the repair and electrification of the Etosha National Park fence."It is evident that the measures speak to both the elements of wildlife conservation and people’s livelihoods, maintaining the balance of priorities as it should be. After all, as humans, we are equally part of the environment.”He added that at least 50% of the total annual income generated by the conservancies, community forests, or associations must be allocated towards the implementation of community development projects to ensure full commitment towards the upliftment of rural communities.“All members of a specific conservancy or community forest should benefit from that conservancy or community forest, irrespective of their tribal or political affiliation.”

Millions to address human-wildlife conflict

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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Millions to address human-wildlife conflict

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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