THE N≠a-Jaqna conservancy and its community forest in the Otjozondjupa Region have won the 2008 Equator Prize of the Equator Initiative for their achievements in poverty alleviation.

Registered in July 2003, the Nâ‰a-Jaqna conservancy is one of 25 winners of the Equator Prize.

It is awarded to recognise and celebrate outstanding community efforts in the conservation of biodiversity.

Each of the winners will receive US$5 000.

Five of them will receive a special recognition and an additional US$15 000.

The prizes will be awarded at the World Conservation Congress to be held in Barcelona, Spain, from October 5 to 14.

Two representatives from the Nâ‰a-Jaqna conservancy will go to Barcelona to take part in the congress and receive the prize.

The community forest was recently added to the conservancy as members decided to diversify their benefits from natural resources.

Covering 9 120 square kilometres, the majority of the conservancy members are San people.

Benefits are derived from wild animals such as elephant, eland, gemsbok, giraffe and warthog.

The Equator Initiative is a partnership that brings together the United Nations, civil society, business, governments and communities to help build the capacity and raise the profile of grassroots efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources.