Surihe Gaomas
27 October 2004
Windhoek — "IF we can export marula oil in the raw form to the United Kingdom or make tons and tons of shampoos and soaps from local resources, why can't we do the processing here ourselves? Surely this is not a fool's paradise?"
With these inspiring words, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism , Dr Malan Lindique, opened the national Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) conference in Windhoek yesterday. CBNRM intends to conserve Namibia's wildlife, while at the same time empower rural communities to take control of their environment.
Community-based conservancies like those in Uukwaluudhi in Kaokoland, the Nyae-Nyae, Salambala, and Torabaai, are just a few which have successfully managed to create what Lindique termed, "community based-entrepreneurism". Re-looking at the latest achievements over the past decade, he indicated that the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, together with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector, have had substantial success in the 31 registered conservancies in the country. It is reported that close to 95 000 rural people have become active members in conserving their environment effectively.
Eighty percent of the income derived through wildlife tourism is ploughed back into the community. "All this means is that Namibians can put bread on their tables at the end of the day," he said.
Sustainable development means development that meets current needs, without compromising the ability for the future generations to meet their own needs. In the light of this, conservancies having trophy hunting, community campsites and mid-market lodges have become a viable industry in the country.
Also speaking at the CBNRM conference Dr Ru-kee Tjingaete, from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, said such "tourism activities are about people, their culture, history, dance and their relationship with their own environment".
Through recent funding from the European Union plans are afoot to set up the first mid-market lodge at Grootberg before the end of this year. In addition, 40 more conservancies are envisioned under the ministry.
The decade has been fruitful for community-based tourism ventures, where revenue of up to five million dollars was generated, employing close to 100,000 Namibians.
Trophy hunting also generates an income of N$160 million dollars annually. Under the 2001 Forest Act, provision has also been made to proclaim the first 15 community forests before the end of this year.
Although there have been successes, there are some constraints experienced in conservation ventures. Director of Namibia's Community Based Tourism Association, Nacobta, Maxi Louis says, "There's still the lack of management skills on the grassroots level and not enough understanding about tourism development."
Furthermore, Louis explained that the industry is too slow to accept new legislation, and that there are inadequate attractive investments and a lack of technical support.
The CBNRM conference in Windhoek that ends today is being attended by close to 40 representatives from various environmental and wildlife organisations in the country.
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