NAPHA celebrates 50 years of ethical hunting
The Namibian Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, honouring a legacy of ethical hunting, conservation and community engagement.“Since its founding in 1974, NAPHA has played an important role in showcasing Namibia as one of the top hunting destinations worldwide and ensuring the sustainability of traditional hunting methods through strong collaboration, particularly the environment and tourism ministry," the association's president Axel Cramer said.
He said the idea of an association like NAPHA, which defends the value of wildlife on private lands, was initiated in the 1960s when a group of farmers met at what was then the Berg Hotel in Windhoek to discuss the promotion of commercial trophy hunting on private farms.
According to him, this challenged the previous belief that viewed wildlife merely as competitors for grazing land. He added that research by Dr Eugene Joubert confirmed farmers’ concerns for wildlife on their farms. A proposal was then made by the late Volker Grellman to accommodate paying foreign hunters, which paved the way to professional hunting in Namibia, he narrated.
“The protection of Namibia’s natural resources has greatly benefitted from NAPHA’s decades-long commitment to high moral standards and conscientious wildlife management.”
Positive economic impact
NAPHA said hunting has particularly positive economic impacts on communal conservancies, generating income and local jobs.
According to Cramer, these revenues support Namibia's Vision 2030, which aims to achieve a sustainable balance between environmental conservation and economic growth.
He added that the association has been at the forefront of community service and education programmes, donating to local schools and adapting training techniques to help the less educated.
The promotion of ethical behaviour towards the environment and nearby wildlife populations has made significant progress due to these initiatives, he said. The association's president said NAPHA is keen to introduce new projects that strengthen its commitment to conservation and community involvement as they move into the future.
A strategic initiative, the Young Hunters Committee, aims to motivate and support the new generation of professional hunting guides. Additionally, an upcoming project of a NAPHA School of Conservation Camp will promote conservation and hunting education through the offering of hunting- and tourism-related courses, as well as serve as a self-catering tented camp to generate income outside of school hours and further provide funds for other projects, he explained.
Join the community
Another project is to motivate previously disadvantaged Namibians to join the hunting community, Cramer said.
This involves setting up preparation courses and exploring sponsorship opportunities to support their certification and training. “By doing so, financial and logistical barriers are addressed, making it easier for them to participate in and benefit from Namibia's hunting community.”
Cramer added that greater transparency has been achieved by NAPHA's strong code of conduct, which every member has to ascribe to. Additionally, the association has adopted the Age-Related Trophy Measurement System as its official measurement system. This system evaluates trophies not only by their size, but also by their age, promoting more sustainable hunting practices.
Significant efforts have been made to promote and explain this new method both internationally and within Namibia, he noted.
“We are fortunate to live in a country like Namibia, where we can pursue our passion for hunting in a peaceful environment rich in biodiversity and varied habitats."
Cramer said in honour of NAPHA’s 50th anniversary, the association urges everyone to support these new and current projects. They are crucial for the preservation and expansion of the industry, as well as for Namibia's economic stability and the preservation of its natural heritage, he stressed.
“Only through cooperation, love and respect for nature can we ensure that NAPHA continues to be a pillar of ethical hunting and conservation, setting an example for future generations of Namibian hunters and conservationists."