National parks a blessing and curse for communities

Residents of the Sangwali area in the Judea Lyabboloma Constituency of the Zambezi Region have described national parks in their vicinity as both a blessing and a curse due to the severe losses they suffer from human-wildlife conflict. This was revealed in a report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources on the motion on human-wildlife conflict.The committee conducted public hearings in five regions - Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, and Erongo - between August 2023 and August 2024 to gather the views of affected community members. The findings were later compiled into a report for tabling in the National Assembly.Sangwali is bordered by the Nkasa Rupara National Park to the east and Mudumu National Park to the west. “Although conservancies in the area are benefiting from the inflow of wild animals for tourism purposes, the same cannot be said for residents who live in fear of losing their lives and properties,” the report stated.According to the report, a significant number of human-wildlife conflict incidents occur annually in the area, which is home to a large population of elephants, lions, buffaloes, crocodiles, and hippos. In the villages within the Balyerwa Conservancy alone, cases of human-wildlife conflict have been increasing since 2020.In 2020, there were 139 cases, including 109 crop field damages, 29 livestock attacks, and one human attack. In 2021, the number of cases surged to 201, with 193 involving crop damages and 8 livestock attacks. In 2022, a total of 188 cases were reported, with 180 crop field damages and 8 livestock attacks.From January to mid-August 2023 alone, over 180 cases were recorded, involving damages to crops, livestock attacks, and even loss of human lives. These recurrent incidents have made it difficult for residents to survive, as they rely on crop farming for their livelihoods.The statistics provided by Salushando covered only areas such as Nongozi, Mbambazi, Sauzuo, Mambali, and Lyanshuru, excluding other villages within different conservancies. There are four conservancies in the Judea Lyabboloma constituency: Dzoti, Wuparo, and Balyerwa.The Sangwali community has urged the government to include all problematic animals in the offset policy, which currently compensates only for damages caused by elephants, buffaloes, and hippos. Other animals, such as hyenas, leopards, bush pigs, antelopes, jackals, and baboons, also cause significant damage to crop fields.The community further appealed to the government to increase hunting quotas for conservancies and empower residents to kill problematic animals when their lives or property are at risk.

National parks a blessing and curse for communities

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-07

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National parks a blessing and curse for communities

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-07

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