Gobabeb celebrating 50th anniversary

WINDHOEK – The Gobabeb Research and Training Centre celebrates its 50th anniversary next month.

Gobabeb is an environmental research centre, and is located in the Namib-Naukluft Park in the Namib Desert. The nearest town, Walvis Bay in the Erongo Region, is about 120 kilometres away.Since 1962, Gobabeb has been in environmental research and is involved in training, sustainable development, appropriate technology, education, and environmental awareness projects.In celebrating the event, an Open Day will take place on September 22.Scientific posters will be on display, while talks, demonstrations and excursions, among others, will take place at different venues at and surroundings of Gobabeb throughout the day. Nature walks and a guided cultural walk combined with a demonstration of !nara harvesting will help participants learn more about the environment, according to the organisers of the event.The !nara is a thorny shrub that is endemic to the Namib Desert. The fruit is harvested as a valuable food source by the Topnaar living along the Kuiseb River.Station tours will include the latest publications in the library and the latest energy solutions, including the expanded solar array, while a scavenger hunt with hints and answers scattered throughout Gobabeb will also take place.A volleyball tournament will also feature.Displays of live organisms from the different biomass around Gobabeb will feature a variety of reptiles and other interesting creatures.Videos taken from around Gobabeb by a variety of photographers ranging back to 1976, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and National Geographic will also be shown.-Nampa