Elephants destroy 40ha of crops in Kavango East

At least 40 hectares of crops were destroyed by elephants and hippopotamuses in the Kavango East region, yet only N$17 600 in compensation has been paid to affected farmers, governor Hamunyera Hambyuka revealed during his state of the region address at Rundu on Thursday.

“These incidents highlight the urgent need for enhanced awareness and stronger collaborative efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict,” Hambyuka said.

To address the escalating threat to farmers, the Mahango Core Area is undergoing upgrades with the installation of a game-proof electric fence, an 11-kilometre-long, 2.3-metre-high barrier designed to prevent elephants and predators from escaping the park and invading farmlands.

The project, funded by the Game Products Trust Fund under the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, began in August 2024 and is still underway.

It currently employs 15 community members as labourers.

“Furthermore, the drilling and installation of a borehole in the Mahango Core Area to provide water for game species is progressing well,” Hambyuka added, noting that N$1.6 million has been allocated to the water infrastructure project.

In a move to stimulate rural economic growth through tourism, Hambyuka announced that several concessions have been awarded to local traditional authorities.

He said the Mahango Concession in the Kweche area and the Kavango Concession in the Buffalo Core Area have been granted to the Hambukushu Traditional Authority.

In addition, the Old Hunting Camp and Pica-Pau Concession were awarded to the Kwangali Traditional Authority.

“All these concessions are located in protected areas and are valid for a duration of 25 years,” said the governor.

Hambyuka further highlighted the success of conservancy-based initiatives, which he said are improving livelihoods and generating sustainable income.

A total of N$15.8 million was generated through the use of indigenous natural products like devil’s claw, as well as through wildlife utilisation, tourism and donor-funded activities.

These initiatives created 127 permanent and 135 temporary jobs, while 75 000 kilogrammes of meat were distributed to surrounding communities.

“These achievements demonstrate the potential of conservation to not only protect wildlife but also uplift rural economies when communities are actively involved,” Hambyuka said.

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