Govt sounds warning on private campsites

THE Ministry of Environment and Tourism says the illegal establishment of private campsites along the coast remains a concern.

Several private campsites sprang up over the festive season – some on the outskirts of Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) campsites such as Mile 72 and others in mining concessions, like the Ugab Salt Works just north of Mile 108.
During the 2007-2008 holiday season an illegal camp was erected by ‘I Dream Africa’ just south of Mile 72 on the salt-mining concession of Jurgen Gossow.
A mining concession may not double as a tourism concession, as authorisation is granted by two separate ministries.
The West Coast Recreation Area, soon to be proclaimed as the Central Coast Park, falls under the ambit of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
The issue of illegal campsites was addressed at a recent meeting at Long Beach between environmental authorities and other stakeholders, under the guidance of the Namibia Coast Conservation and Management Project (Nacoma).
According to Nacoma’s Senior Technical Advisor, Rod Braby, who did several fly-bys over the festive season to monitor activity along the coast, it is not sure who the organisers of these camps were, and where they got permission to set up these camps.
It is believed that one of the camps – the one at the Ugab Salt Works – belonged to I Dream Africa, although The Namibian could not confirm this.
Although there are new regulations prohibiting quad biking north of the Omaruru River, this illegal campsite allowed quad bikes to operate in its vicinity.
According to the Ministry’s Director of Parks, Ben Beytel, the campers are doing a lot of damage in these areas, especially between the campsites and the road.
This is where much unauthorised off-road activity is taking place that is difficult to control because of the remoteness of the areas.
‘These illegal operations are awaiting a nasty surprise if they don’t go,’ said Beytel.
‘A letter is being signed, and from now on these people would have to acquire a special licence to be able to camp in these areas.
‘People can’t plead ignorant anymore; the whole of Africa knows that Namibia’s coastline is going to become a national park,’ he said.