Cuvelai basin hit by water depletion

ABSALOM SHIGWEDHA WATER depletion and land degradation are some of the major challenges facing the Cuvelai Etosha Basin, says Oshana regional governor Clemence Kashuupulwa.

In a speech read on his behalf by his special adviser Michael Mwiinga at a two day seminar on water, environment and sustainable development for the Cuvelai Etosha Basin held at Oshakati last week, the governor said other problems encountered in the region are climate change effects, habitat and biodiversity loss.

He said natural resources including minerals, water, land, ecosystems and biodiversity are the backbone of Namibia’s national economy.

Kashuupulwa said these challenges have led to declining access to water, poor rainfall and excessively high evaporation.

He said the rapidly growing population rate of 3% annually was accelerating pressure on the resources and posing a threat to the resources needed for survival.

He suggested that practical ways to achieve sustainable development are reducing the use and wastage of non renewable resources.

“Let us avoid the overexploitation of water. Re use and recycl water.

Let us avoid the overexploitation of biodiversity such as fish, caterpillars, birds and many other wildlife, ” said Kashuupulwa. Environmental Commissioner, Teofilus Nghitila in a speech read on his behalf by a senior official in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Saima Angula, said the low levels of importance attached to the environment are the main drivers of degradation in Namibia.

“If we think of the pressing environmental issues facing the regions that make up the Cuvelai Etosha Basin, it is clear that low levels of awareness among our people is a problem, ” he said.

Nghitila said litter is an eyesore in many towns as well as along the roads in the North.

This, he said, does not only create a bad impression among visitors and tourists to the North, but it is also a source of danger to people and animals.

Nghitila said the Ministry of Environment is working closely with regional councils and local authorities to address this problem and to modernise waste management.

The Cuvelai Etosha Basin stretches accross Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions.

The basin is further subdivided into four subbasins of Olushandja, Niipele, Iishana and Tsumeb.

It is characterised by an interconnected system of shallow flood plains which are a life support system to the most densely populated area in the country.

The seminar was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry and the Cuvelai Etosha Basin Environmental Working Group.

The seminar was held from 23 to 24 May.

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