NAMIBIA’S Community-Based Natural Resources Management programme (CBRNM) has expanded beyond expectations.
The programme has already resulted in significant levels of community involvement in the recovery and management of important natural resources, says the Director General of the National Planning Commission. Helmut Angula yesterday signed a French financial assistance agreement to benefit Namibia’s Integrated Community-based Ecosystem Management (Icema) project.Through the French Global Environment Facility, France has given Namibia a grant of 1,4 million Euro (approximately N$11 million) for the Icema project.Ten conservancies will benefit from the grant.The Icema project offers direct funding and technical assistance to rural populations to set up conservancies.French Ambassador to Namibia Phillipe De La Bathie, who signed the agreement with Angula, said Namibia had outstanding experience in the field of natural resources management and was leading the way in many aspects of conservation.”France is therefore very proud to be part of this innovative and worthwhile endeavour,” said De La Bathie.He said conservation in Namibia had allowed real economic and social empowerment of rural people.Namibia now has 31 registered conservancies on State land, representing 100 000 people, covering some 75 000 square kilometres of land.Some of them, such as the Torra Conservancy, are doing so well that they no longer depend on donor funds and generate enough money to pay their staff.Forty other communities are in the process of forming conservancies.Helmut Angula yesterday signed a French financial assistance agreement to benefit Namibia’s Integrated Community-based Ecosystem Management (Icema) project.Through the French Global Environment Facility, France has given Namibia a grant of 1,4 million Euro (approximately N$11 million) for the Icema project.Ten conservancies will benefit from the grant.The Icema project offers direct funding and technical assistance to rural populations to set up conservancies.French Ambassador to Namibia Phillipe De La Bathie, who signed the agreement with Angula, said Namibia had outstanding experience in the field of natural resources management and was leading the way in many aspects of conservation.”France is therefore very proud to be part of this innovative and worthwhile endeavour,” said De La Bathie.He said conservation in Namibia had allowed real economic and social empowerment of rural people.Namibia now has 31 registered conservancies on State land, representing 100 000 people, covering some 75 000 square kilometres of land.Some of them, such as the Torra Conservancy, are doing so well that they no longer depend on donor funds and generate enough money to pay their staff.Forty other communities are in the process of forming conservancies.
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