NEWS - ENVIRO
| 2013-08-01No game culling yet during drought
NO game has been culled yet to feed thousands of starving Namibians during the drought, despite a call made by President Hifikepunye Pohamba in May this year for culling to be considered.
With the worst drought in 30 years hitting Namibia this year, Pohamba declared a State of Emergency and ordered the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to consider culling game “before animals are lost due to drought”.
Minister of Environment and Tourism Uahekua Herunga told Nampa his ministry has not yet finalised the game culling arrangements.
“We made a huge list of the numbers of animals earmarked for donation for each region, and we are awaiting approval,” he stressed.
According to Herunga, only animals from the Etosha and Bwabwata National Parks will be culled.
He said culls on game species should be carried out or proposed as a means of sustainable management of wild animal populations, and should therefore form part of the justifiable sustainable use of nature.
Herunga raised the concern that if the correct procedures are not followed, and animals are over-utilised, game species might be depleted.
It has been estimated that the drought has negatively affected over 300 000 people, while 38 people have reportedly died of starvation and many children face malnutrition. At least 4 000 livestock have perished since the beginning of the drought. Many Namibians also do not have access to food and crops are suffering. Market availability of pearl millet and maize has also declined due to the impact of the drought.
Access to water is also a huge problem.
The Namibian Red Cross Society launched an Emergency Drought Relief Appeal here at the beginning of the month to raise N$12,5 million to assist people affected by the drought. – Nampa
With the worst drought in 30 years hitting Namibia this year, Pohamba declared a State of Emergency and ordered the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to consider culling game “before animals are lost due to drought”.
Minister of Environment and Tourism Uahekua Herunga told Nampa his ministry has not yet finalised the game culling arrangements.
“We made a huge list of the numbers of animals earmarked for donation for each region, and we are awaiting approval,” he stressed.
According to Herunga, only animals from the Etosha and Bwabwata National Parks will be culled.
He said culls on game species should be carried out or proposed as a means of sustainable management of wild animal populations, and should therefore form part of the justifiable sustainable use of nature.
Herunga raised the concern that if the correct procedures are not followed, and animals are over-utilised, game species might be depleted.
It has been estimated that the drought has negatively affected over 300 000 people, while 38 people have reportedly died of starvation and many children face malnutrition. At least 4 000 livestock have perished since the beginning of the drought. Many Namibians also do not have access to food and crops are suffering. Market availability of pearl millet and maize has also declined due to the impact of the drought.
Access to water is also a huge problem.
The Namibian Red Cross Society launched an Emergency Drought Relief Appeal here at the beginning of the month to raise N$12,5 million to assist people affected by the drought. – Nampa
