24 October 2008
The Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Programme (SKEP) plans to hold a festival "Promoting the Succulent Karoo through Culture and Tourism", in Keetmanshoop, early next month.
The purpose of the event is to create awareness and promote the succulent Karoo through culture and tourism-related activities.
The Succulent Karoo is one of the 34 biodiversity hotspots in the world and the only arid hotspot in Africa.
The semi-arid biodiversity hotspots are unique because of their spectacular natural gems that occur above and below the ground.
The hotspot is located within the Karas Region and extends into the southern part of South Africa.
Although recognised as an important pristine area, there is no special day dedicated to promote the conservation and tourism-related matters of the unique environment through the culture of the inhabitants, hence the planned festival.
According to a statement issued by the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), the event is going to look at the unique ecology of the Succulent Karoo, linking tourism and conservation.
There will be exhibits from the local communities such as traditional foods and handmade products, traditional attire, SKEP documentaries as well as tourism and corporate social investment activities.
Community projects of mining companies in the region will be exhibited at the festival.
The Richtersveld communities in South Africa will also attend the two-day festival.
Biodiversity in the Succulent Karoo Ecosystem of Namibia is conserved and managed by the state and civil society through an integrated programme of conservation action and co-managed for the sustainable development of the region, the national economy and the livelihoods of the people.
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) funds SKEP, which is a joint initiative of Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the John D. & Catherine T. McArthur Foundation and the World Bank.
Dignitaries expected at the event are Minister of Environment and Tourism Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Minister of Youth, National Service, Sports and Culture Willem Konjore and the Karas Regional Governor Dawid Boois.
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