Report calls for greater support for conservancies

Namibian conservancies need to be prioritised to ensure the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources, as well as to improve livelihoods.Therefore, it is crucial for the environment and tourism ministry to play its role in addressing the needs of conservancies as a whole.The parliamentary standing committee on natural resources highlighted this in a recent report, following visits to conservancies in the Kunene and Zambezi regions, which was recently tabled in Parliament.“Equally, the absence of financial management, necessary skills and tribal issues which are a hindrance to the conservancies' operation need much attention. Thus, the operation and success of the conservancies depend on the ministry’s willingness to assist and support to ensure they meet their objectives," the report said.Currently, there are about 86 registered conservancies in Namibia, with 15 located in the Zambezi Region and 38 in the Kunene Region.The standing committee visited conservancies in the Kunene and Zambezi regions in 2023 to familiarise themselves with the operation of communal conservancies and assess their progress and challenges.Challenges and recommendationsThe report noted that restrictions in quota allocations imposed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), poor financial management, the interference of the traditional authorities in the affairs of conservancies and the outdated national policy on wildlife management formed part of their major findings.“The importance of wildlife cannot be overemphasised due to the benefit it brings to the nation at large; however, certain measures should be in place to ensure the community at large is benefitting from the conservancies in their respective areas," the report noted."Thus, it is important to review the national policy on wildlife management to narrow the gap in execution of conservancies’ mandates and ensure smooth collaboration with the Traditional Authorities."The committee recommended, among other things, that basic accounting and bookkeeping training be provided to conservancy treasurers and other financial officers to enable them to handle finances effectively and efficiently.Moreover, the ministry should spearhead and facilitate peer learning among conservancies, in collaboration with civil society organisations, to allow the exchange of experiences that will improve their operations. The ministry should also include benchmark visits to other countries.Furthermore, the report recommended that the ministry, in collaboration with traditional leaders, address the issue of people resettling in animal corridors or farming beyond allocated borders and consider gazetting animal corridors.

Report calls for greater support for conservancies

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-12

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Report calls for greater support for conservancies

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-12

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