Wildlife meets community
N$16.8m in gear to tackle human-wildlife conflict in Zambezi
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), in collaboration with the Community Conservation Fund of Namibia (CCFN) and the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Area (KAZA) handed over infrastructure, equipment and assets valued at approximately N$16.8 million financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Development Bank, to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and improve livelihoods in the Zambezi Region.Community members living in the Zambezi region are among some of the most affected by human-wildlife conflict incidences involving a wide range of species such as lions, elephants, hippos, and crocodiles. These incidences include loss of livestock, crops, infrastructure and in some cases the regrettable loss of human life.
The MEFT has continued working together with local organisations, communities, international stakeholders, and other partners to find long-term solutions to the challenges of human-wildlife conflict and for the livelihood improvement of local communities.
The donations include predator-proof kraals to protect livestock from predators in the Mudumu landscape; water infrastructure to reduce contact between people, livestock and the threat from crocodiles and hippos; wildlife monitoring and patrol equipment for game guards; early warning systems and safety gear to reduce dangerous interactions between people and wildlife; response vehicle and equipment for the Chobe Lion Programme; and bee-keeping equipment and water infrastructure for livelihood improvement of community forests.
Additionally, as part of the CLD-HWCM Project, uniforms and fire protection equipment for Fish and Forest Guards, along with camping equipment were handed over to enhance community efforts in veld fire prevention and fisheries management.