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NAMIBIA's communal conservatories have grown to 86 in the last two years, covering an area of 166,045 square kilometers and benefiting more than 227,941 people, said Deputy Environment Minister Bernadette Jagger.
She said that by motivating the Namibian budget of $ 461 million from the ministry for 2019/20 recently in the National Assembly.
Three new communal conservatories were established during this period. These are the Otjindjesere and Otjikongo Conservation Centers (both in the Kunene area) and the Kapinga Kamwalye Conservation Center in eastern Kavango.
To strengthen governance practices, guidelines and standard operating procedures for the management of community conservation areas have been developed, added Jagger. Community Conservation Areas are autonomous entities created under the Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) program of the Ministry of the Environment. However, the ministry has the power to strike out the registration of conservation companies that do not adhere to the conservation rules.
Jagger said that the year had been important in the implementation of the Environmental Management Act and that a number of high profile cases, such as illegal harvesting of timber in the northeastern regions and the illegal extraction of sand in the northern regions, have increased the importance of environmental sustainability and the need for communities to benefit equitably from these natural resources.
"Despite the difficult financial situation, we intensified our inspection programs and issued 39 compliance orders to proponents of violations of the Environmental Management Act. With the growing awareness of the law, we are also witnessing an increasing number of appeals. These are important for giving communities, but also promoters and other stakeholders, access to environmental justice, "she said.
For the moment, the ministry is struggling to maintain and modernize the infrastructure of its protected areas and the decline in the budget is expected to make the situation worse, she said.
"In the long run, this will seriously damage the reputation and competitiveness of Namibia as a tourist destination. There are already many tourist complaints in this regard, "she said.
In the fight against climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation, Jagger said the ministry would continue to coordinate the development of project proposals to secure financial resources through bilateral funding windows. multilateral.
"It is nice to report that three projects funded by the Green Climate Fund are currently being implemented in the country through the Environmental Investment Fund and that their total value is being met. raises to $ 20.3 million ($ 283 million).
"I am confident that three other projects valued at US $ 39 million (N $ 545 million) will be launched during this year. Two of these projects will be funded by the Green Climate Fund and one by the Global Environment Facility, "said Jagger.
According to Jagger, of the N $ 461 million allocated, $ 195 million will be allocated for wildlife management and protected areas, while $ 25 million will be allocated for the protection and management of key species and their habitat. natural. N $ 19 million has been earmarked for tourism development and gaming regulation, while N $ 31 million has been earmarked for the protection of the environment and natural resources.
The development, maintenance, monitoring and evaluation of infrastructure was allocated N $ 9 million, while policy oversight and support services received N $ 87 million.
Of the total funds allocated to the Ministry, N $ 369 million is for the operating budget, while N $ 92 million is for the development budget.
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