Few parties have green view, says Earthlife

NAMIBIA’s environmental watchdog group Earthlife Namibia has expressed disappointment with the apparent lack of interest in environmental issues displayed by political parties.

Only two political parties – the CoD and the DTA – responded to a survey done by Earthlife to gauge the parties’ environmental policies. The ruling party Swapo did not respond to the request, while Swanu, Nudo and the NDMC could not be located to distribute the questionnaire.The MAG and RP apologised for not being able to complete the survey in time.”Is our Government not interested in the well-being and development of our people and the health of our environment? Are our politicians that short-sighted not to recognise the close interdependence of an intact environment and a prosperous future?” says a statement issued by the organisation last week.Earthlife says environmental conservation should be a priority for developing countries like Namibia, since environmental and developmental issues are closely linked.In the survey the CoD strongly opposed development at the expense of the environment.The party views resettlement, industrialisation, land redistribution and urbanisation as posing the greatest risks to the environment.The CoD has cited the development of the country’s textile industry by Ramatex as a case in point, saying pollution by the factory is being overlooked because of economic factors.The DTA raised water management in Namibia as a serious concern, pushing for control of NamWater to return to the Department of Water Affairs.Its policy on environmental pollution is that the authorities in charge of industrial sites must be trained to deal with offenders and that a monitoring system be adopted to expose offences.”Unsustainable development will have serious consequences for future generations and can never bring about lasting economic health and political stability in this country,” Earthlife maintains.The organisation has urged the electorate to push politicians and decision makers to answer crucial questions related to the combating of desertification, land degradation, water management, development in rural areas, environmental pollution and the sustainable use and conservation of Namibia’s biodiversity.The ruling party Swapo did not respond to the request, while Swanu, Nudo and the NDMC could not be located to distribute the questionnaire.The MAG and RP apologised for not being able to complete the survey in time.”Is our Government not interested in the well-being and development of our people and the health of our environment? Are our politicians that short-sighted not to recognise the close interdependence of an intact environment and a prosperous future?” says a statement issued by the organisation last week.Earthlife says environmental conservation should be a priority for developing countries like Namibia, since environmental and developmental issues are closely linked.In the survey the CoD strongly opposed development at the expense of the environment.The party views resettlement, industrialisation, land redistribution and urbanisation as posing the greatest risks to the environment.The CoD has cited the development of the country’s textile industry by Ramatex as a case in point, saying pollution by the factory is being overlooked because of economic factors.The DTA raised water management in Namibia as a serious concern, pushing for control of NamWater to return to the Department of Water Affairs.Its policy on environmental pollution is that the authorities in charge of industrial sites must be trained to deal with offenders and that a monitoring system be adopted to expose offences.”Unsustainable development will have serious consequences for future generations and can never bring about lasting economic health and political stability in this country,” Earthlife maintains.The organisation has urged the electorate to push politicians and decision makers to answer crucial questions related to the combating of desertification, land degradation, water management, development in rural areas, environmental pollution and the sustainable use and conservation of Namibia’s biodiversity.