The massive impact of waste disposal on the environment
Spotlight Namibia, a growing group of Namibian citizens on Facebook, has once again drawn attention to the waste problem.Recently, Spotlight Namibia exposed the waste situation at the National Museum. Now the focus is on waste disposal at the Hobas Lodge, which is managed by Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR).
Spotlight Namibia explains that waste disposal is one of the many challenges that lodges face, especially in remote areas. "It is one of the requirements for obtaining an environmental permit, and strict regulations for the treatment of household waste and solid waste as well as for the disposal of wastewater must be observed. Private entities go to great lengths to dispose of waste such as bottles, plastic and paper by processing the waste on site and then taking it to the nearest recycling company or using a contractor to do it. Disposal of sewage, which can contaminate groundwater and lead to water-borne diseases, is also strictly regulated.
“Despite all these regulations, the treatment of garbage and sewage by NWR at Hobas Lodge, near the main viewpoint overlooking the Fish River Canyon, is shocking to say the least. Solid waste is simply disposed of in a landfill without regularly covering the waste as required by regulations,” Spotlight Namibia says.
When Hobas was established many years ago, it had a state-of-the-art sewage recycling system, according to Spotlight Namibia. “It was used to irrigate the lawn at the campsite. Unfortunately, it has not been in operation for many years and the waste water is simply pumped into the steppe."
Even more regrettable is that Hobas is located in the /Ai/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. The /Ai/Ais part of the park is a state conservation area in Namibia that borders the Richtersveld in South Africa.