THE newly appointed minister of environment and tourism, Uahekua Herunga, has urged local holidaymakers and foreign visitors to adhere to the rules of the Dorob National Park.

The environmentally sensitive park is home to Namibia’s coastal birds, rich botanical biodiversity, river systems and river mouths.

“The Dorob National Park forms the eighth largest protected area in the world,” said Herunga.

“We call on our visitors to acquaint themselves with and adhere to the park rules and regulations. These are obtainable in a pamphlet with maps from the offices of the ministry at Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, as well as tourism offices in Henties Bay.”

The minister said that with Namibia’s hosting of the Adventure and World Travel Summit (ATWS) next October in Swakopmund, all “coastodians” should keep the coast clean and pristine.

“I hope that this December holiday season would be the best thus far in terms of the constructive and positive contribution in protecting the assets of the Dorob National Park,” he said.

Already there have been complaints about people making a mess at Dune 7. The ministry has assigned workers who are cleaning the area.

Quad bike users who deface the dunes and natural environment of the park can expect to be fined from N$6 000 upwards, said parks director Colgar Sikopo.

“Currently fines are N$300, but we are reviewing this to increase the amount,” he said.