‘Don’t break park rules’
Ministry warns about drones
Tour operators who do not obey park regulations may be placed on a national park blacklist.
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism expressed concern over the ongoing violation and disregard of park rules and regulations by visitors to Namibia’s national parks.“We have observed serious violations regarding various issues under the applicable laws and park rules,” ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said in a statement.
He said the ministry is concerned that some tour operators accompanying tourists to national parks are contributing to this serious disregard of park rules and laws.
“We appeal to all tour operators to assist us in maintaining law and order in Namibia’s national parks.”
The ministry warned that tour operators who do not abide by park rules could be blacklisted by national parks as a result.
As a result, the ministry wants to address certain issues that may be overlooked or misunderstood by visitors to the country’s national parks.
Muyunda said the use of drones is not permitted in Namibia’s national parks without an official permit and visitors with drones must declare and register them at the park entrance gates.
“Despite this restriction, we have observed a significant number of visitors attempting to enter and fly drones in our national parks.”
Remain in vehicles
In addition, Muyunda said visitors driving on prohibited roads and abandoning vehicles in national parks remains a serious challenge.
He believes such behaviour degrades the parks’ ecosystems and diminishes their reputation as well-managed conservation areas.
“The ministry calls on all visitors to adhere to the designated roads and viewing areas to protect the environment and ensure safety. We encourage all visitors to comply with these regulations to ensure that the country’s national parks remain safe and pristine for all.”
Muyunda added that the ministry is working hard to invest in the maintenance of infrastructure such as roads and ablution facilities in national parks.
“However, we are concerned about how this infrastructure has been vandalized. Ablution facilities are important, but despite the ministry’s efforts to keep them clean and in working order, they are always found vandalized and dirty.”
Meat, plastic bags
He also addressed the issue of handling and transporting meat in and out of Etosha National Park in accordance with the Animal Diseases Act. He said in terms of this act, it is prohibited to leave the park at the Anderson, Galton and Von Lindequisthek with raw meat.
“Any raw meat found by veterinary officers at the gate will be confiscated and disposed of. This restriction only applies when leaving the park and there is no prohibition on entering the park with raw meat. Similarly, there is no restriction on leaving the park with meat at the King Nehale Gate.”
Muyunda reminded members of the public and tourists that the ministry has imposed a restriction on plastic bags in all national parks. He said the restriction applies to single-layer plastic bags such as shopping bags, but that items in plastic packaging such as bread or rice bags are allowed.
“The ministry encourages visitors to avoid littering and to dispose of their garbage in designated bins to maintain a clean and healthy environment.”