Windhoek — THE Ministry of Environment and Tourism is developing a policy to deal with Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC), which has become a serious concern for communal and commercial farmers alike.

The Ministry has found that the lack of such a policy, good infrastructure systems and Government resources were factors hindering progress in curtailing conflicts between people and wildlife.

In May last year, the Ministry held a national workshop on HWC management, where the policy was discussed.

Four critical areas that will be covered in the policy are the devolution of HWC conflict management authorities, insurance schemes, alternative mitigation measures and a standardised monitoring and reporting system.

Environment and Tourism Permanent Secretary Dr Malan Lindeque said HWC was probably the most difficult issue that conservation agencies such as his Ministry had to face.

Local communities, he said, need to be empowered to deal with this problem themselves.

Human-Wildlife Conflict refers to a range of conflicts between wild animals and people - from the destruction of homes, crops and water installations by large animals such as elephants, to predators killing people and livestock.

In November last year, the Doro !Nawas conservancy in the former Damaraland called on the Government to consider compensating people for losses caused by wild animals.

The chairperson of the conservancy, Leonard Hoaeb, said elephants in the area were destroying people's water points and other property.

Due to the shortage of grazing and water, elephants are now competing with humans for survival.

On 17 November last year, 60-year-old Morison Mashwahu Simpaya was killed by a elephant while he was looking for his cattle at Muyako village.

The animal was shot dead by Environment and Tourism officials after the incident.

In the same month, Vaesapi Musutua (31) was attacked and killed by an elephant at Palmfontein near Erwee in Kunene Region.

A man escaped unhurt.

According to the Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1975, people have the right to defend themselves against aggressive wild animals threatening their lives, the Chief Warden Control for the Caprivi and Kavango regions, Colgar Sikopo, said last November.