The Ministry recently received equipment worth N$21.7 million donated by the German government through projects within the Ministry funded by KFW.
The equipment was received by Pohamba Shifeta, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. The Minister noted that the donation came at a time when the country is recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that affected daily operations such as water provision to game, wildlife crime prevention, inspections, law enforcement and human wildlife conflict management to among others. He further adds that the support also comes at a time when the country is experiencing an increase in crime against wildlife.
The equipment consists of ten (10) 4x4 off-Road vehicles for the Wildlife Protection Services, water maintenance equipment, camping equipment, wildlife monitoring equipment, predator transport crates, workshop tools, SMART (spatial monitoring and reporting) equipment and IT equipment generously donated by the German government through KFW.
Shifeta reveals that in this year 2022, Fifty-five (55) rhinos have been poached and (36) people have been arrested for these crimes, as for elephants two (2) have been poached with of Fifty-eight (58) people arrested for elephant related crimes. In regards to pangolins, Shifeta revealed that Eight (8) live pangolins and twenty-four (24) pangolin skins have been seized and a number of (48) suspects have been arrested in connection with pangolin related crimes in the current year.
The minister was quick to point out that the ministry has recruited additional anti-poaching officials, deployed vehicles and constructed patrol camps in critical areas that are severely affected by poaching. In addition, staff members were given enabling training in 4x4 driving, Spatial Monitoring, and Reporting Tool to mitigate poaching.
“The support we are receiving today will continue to make a tangible difference towards augmenting current law enforcement and conservation initiatives”- says Shifeta.
At the same event, Beatrice Lucke, KFW Country Director, said Namibia is a global leader in biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection. She noted that German Government is happy to support the implementation of projects that contribute to improved livelihoods.
Wilhencia Uira, Executive Director at the National Planning Commision says Namibia has registered 86 conservancies covering a total area of 166,045 square meters and supports over 189,230 people. She says this was achieved with support from development partners such as the German Government. The partner contribution made in the past two years has amounted to half a billion Namibian dollars.
