Etosha roads rehabilitated
86 km upgraded to bitumen standards in 2023
The environment ministry is pleased with the progress and quality of the upgrade work that has been completed.
A total of 224 km of roads in Etosha National Park have been rehabilitated, of which 86 km were upgraded to bitumen standard in 2023.
This is according to the executive director of the environment ministry, Teofilus Nghitila, who said the tourism sector is still a key economic pillar and is starting to recover.
“Protected areas, in addition to safeguarding species and habitats, are also our leading tourist attractions and will be key to the recovery of the sector. The maintenance and development of infrastructure in protected areas continues to be a top ministerial priority.”
He said all protected areas require a well-maintained road network to ensure tourists have a good experience.
Hard work
Nghitila said they are pleased with the progress and quality of work being undertaken and are especially thankful to the Road Fund Administration for their continued support of this project.
“The ministry also undertook urgent grading of approximately 450 kilometres of gravel roads within Etosha National Park during the period under review.”
He said the ministry is further hard at work upgrading fences in different national parks in order to reduce human-wildlife conflict, strengthen law enforcement, and curb illegal access to national parks.
“To date, approximately 160 km of Etosha National Park have been fully upgraded, and much still has to be done.”
New approach
Nghitila said through their in-house capacity and with the National Youth Service and volunteers from adjacent conservancies, they managed to complete a pilot project to upgrade 7.5 km of fence in the Onanke area in the north of the park.
“We will be expanding this approach in Etosha and in other national parks in 2024.”
Nghitila further said the ministry will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that climate change issues are integrated into all spheres of developmental aspirations and conservation efforts.
He said the ministry is excited by and fully committed to the development of the green hydrogen industry and has designated land in Tsau//Khaeb National Park for the Southern Corridor Development Initiative for green hydrogen.
This is according to the executive director of the environment ministry, Teofilus Nghitila, who said the tourism sector is still a key economic pillar and is starting to recover.
“Protected areas, in addition to safeguarding species and habitats, are also our leading tourist attractions and will be key to the recovery of the sector. The maintenance and development of infrastructure in protected areas continues to be a top ministerial priority.”
He said all protected areas require a well-maintained road network to ensure tourists have a good experience.
Hard work
Nghitila said they are pleased with the progress and quality of work being undertaken and are especially thankful to the Road Fund Administration for their continued support of this project.
“The ministry also undertook urgent grading of approximately 450 kilometres of gravel roads within Etosha National Park during the period under review.”
He said the ministry is further hard at work upgrading fences in different national parks in order to reduce human-wildlife conflict, strengthen law enforcement, and curb illegal access to national parks.
“To date, approximately 160 km of Etosha National Park have been fully upgraded, and much still has to be done.”
New approach
Nghitila said through their in-house capacity and with the National Youth Service and volunteers from adjacent conservancies, they managed to complete a pilot project to upgrade 7.5 km of fence in the Onanke area in the north of the park.
“We will be expanding this approach in Etosha and in other national parks in 2024.”
Nghitila further said the ministry will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that climate change issues are integrated into all spheres of developmental aspirations and conservation efforts.
He said the ministry is excited by and fully committed to the development of the green hydrogen industry and has designated land in Tsau//Khaeb National Park for the Southern Corridor Development Initiative for green hydrogen.
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