New momentum for Namibia’s geopark

A high-level excursion trip was undertaken last week to the planned Gondwanaland Geopark, which is set to be proclaimed once necessary legislation is in place.The geopark covers an area of approximately 60 000 km² in central western Namibia.It falls within three of the country’s administrative regions - Kunene, Erongo and Otjozondjupa - and comprises of eight communal conservancies and larger settlements such as Karibib, Usakos, Omaruru, Uis and Khorixas.A 40-member delegation made up of politicians, government officials and other private organisations visited several sites in the Erongo and Kunene regions that fall within the geopark’s area, such as Spitzkoppe, Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, the Petrified Forest, the Damara Living Museum and the Organ Pipes.A geopark is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation-designated (Unesco) area containing one or more sites of particular geological importance, intended to conserve the geological heritage and promote public awareness of it, typically through tourism.According to a concept note about the geopark published last week, the project was accepted for inclusion into the Joint Programme on Sustainable Cultural Tourism in Namibia of the Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund in 2010.In preparationFour activities were undertaken in preparation for the geopark’s future proclamation, which included the compilation of guidelines for its management; the design of corporate identity and texts for information boards and production of promotional material; the design of training materials for future tour guides, and the architectural design for an information centre and provision of infrastructure for selling of minerals by small-scale miners.“Before a geopark can join the Unesco Global Geoparks, it needs to be proclaimed as a national geopark. It is therefore envisaged to proclaim the geopark under Sections 20 and 21 of the Wildlife and Protected Areas Management Bill, once promulgated.”The concept note, however, said the project has been delayed as relevant legislation is still not in place.“It is, nevertheless, expected that the Bill, after many revisions, will be enacted in the not-too-distant future, and therefore it is considered to be appropriate to be well prepared for applying for a proclamation under the said Bill once it becomes an Act.”

New momentum for Namibia’s geopark

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-20

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New momentum for Namibia’s geopark

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-20

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