Payouts raised for human-wildlife conflict losses
In aid of farmers, communities
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta has highlighted that competition for available natural habitats and resources has increased, and the effects of climate change are exacerbating these conflicts.
Human-wildlife conflict in Namibia has become more frequent and severe over recent decades as a result of population growth, unplanned agricultural activities and the expansion of agricultural and industrial activities.
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said this with regards to a decision to increase payments under the human wildlife conflict self-reliance scheme.
“Competition for the available natural habitats and resources has increased. Moreover, the effects of climate change are exacerbating these conflicts. The situation is even worsened by the drought in most parts of the country over the years,” the minister said.
“We believe that the increment of the self-reliance scheme will effectively support communities, individuals and farmers to directly offset the losses caused to livestock and crops and also support persons injured by wild animals," he added.
Policy developments
In 2009, Cabinet approved the national policy on human-wildlife conflict management, and in 2018, a revised national policy was approved.
The policy makes provision for the establishment of the human wildlife conflict self-reliance scheme.
Payments under the scheme are made to cover livestock losses at rates that do not cover the full value of the animal concerned but aim to partially offset the loss to the farmer.
A payment at a determined rate is also available to cover damages caused to crops as well as loss of life and injuries to people.
Shifeta said one of the resolutions of the May 2023 National Conference on Human Wildlife Conflict Management was to increase payments under the scheme.
The policy also allows the minister to adjust the amount for payment under the scheme from time to time as may be deemed appropriate, in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Adjustments outlined
The revised adjustments for payment under the scheme, which are effective as of 1 September, include:
Funeral expenses and related costs remain at N$100 000, while injury without loss of body parts has been increased from N$10 000 to N$15 000, injury with loss of body part increased from N$30 000 to N$40 000 and disability increased from N$50 000 to N$100 000.
With regards to livestock losses, the amount paid for losses of cattle increased from N$3 000 to N$5 000, for goats, from N$500 to N$800, for a sheep, from N$700 to N$800, for horses, from N$800 to N$1 500, for a donkey, from N$500 to N$1 000, and for a pig, from N$700 to N$1 000.
Meanwhile, crop damage payments increased from N$250 to N$1 000 for one quarter of a hectare and from N$1 000 to N$2 500 for one hectare.
“Payment for human death cannot be increased for now, as this was increased from N$5 000 in 2009 to N$100 000 in the year 2018. The amount of N$100 000 is also sufficient to cover funeral expenses," the ministry noted.
Shifeta said the anticipated impact will be to effectively support communities, individuals and farmers who suffer losses and damages caused by wild animals through the revised offset payments.
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said this with regards to a decision to increase payments under the human wildlife conflict self-reliance scheme.
“Competition for the available natural habitats and resources has increased. Moreover, the effects of climate change are exacerbating these conflicts. The situation is even worsened by the drought in most parts of the country over the years,” the minister said.
“We believe that the increment of the self-reliance scheme will effectively support communities, individuals and farmers to directly offset the losses caused to livestock and crops and also support persons injured by wild animals," he added.
Policy developments
In 2009, Cabinet approved the national policy on human-wildlife conflict management, and in 2018, a revised national policy was approved.
The policy makes provision for the establishment of the human wildlife conflict self-reliance scheme.
Payments under the scheme are made to cover livestock losses at rates that do not cover the full value of the animal concerned but aim to partially offset the loss to the farmer.
A payment at a determined rate is also available to cover damages caused to crops as well as loss of life and injuries to people.
Shifeta said one of the resolutions of the May 2023 National Conference on Human Wildlife Conflict Management was to increase payments under the scheme.
The policy also allows the minister to adjust the amount for payment under the scheme from time to time as may be deemed appropriate, in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Adjustments outlined
The revised adjustments for payment under the scheme, which are effective as of 1 September, include:
Funeral expenses and related costs remain at N$100 000, while injury without loss of body parts has been increased from N$10 000 to N$15 000, injury with loss of body part increased from N$30 000 to N$40 000 and disability increased from N$50 000 to N$100 000.
With regards to livestock losses, the amount paid for losses of cattle increased from N$3 000 to N$5 000, for goats, from N$500 to N$800, for a sheep, from N$700 to N$800, for horses, from N$800 to N$1 500, for a donkey, from N$500 to N$1 000, and for a pig, from N$700 to N$1 000.
Meanwhile, crop damage payments increased from N$250 to N$1 000 for one quarter of a hectare and from N$1 000 to N$2 500 for one hectare.
“Payment for human death cannot be increased for now, as this was increased from N$5 000 in 2009 to N$100 000 in the year 2018. The amount of N$100 000 is also sufficient to cover funeral expenses," the ministry noted.
Shifeta said the anticipated impact will be to effectively support communities, individuals and farmers who suffer losses and damages caused by wild animals through the revised offset payments.
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