Illegal timber harvesting in the Kavango West region remains an ongoing problem, with cross-border trafficking undermining conservation efforts.
This is despite a sharp decline in recent years, following the suspension of timber harvesting permits in 2019 due to legal violations.
The ban was lifted in 2023, and permits are now being issued to those meeting the requirements, which include timber inventory, proof of land ownership/leasehold, a letter from the traditional authority and Environmental Clearance Certificates.
According the director of forestry in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Johnson Ndokosho, enforcement has been scaled up, with timber products from neighbouring Angola and Zambia into Namibia being confiscated in joint operations with local police and the Namibia Revenue Agency.
“In 2023 and 2024, over 1 600 pieces of illegal timber, alongside 1 800 planks from Angola and Zambia, were seized in a concerted effort to curb the trade,” says Ndokosho.
Although no police cases were registered for the illegal harvesting of timber, the total value of fines for admission of guilt issued to 16 alleged culprits between January and November in the Kavango West region amount to over N$32 000.
Confiscated products remain stored at forestry offices.
The government has empowered local communities through initiatives like community forests, allowing residents to sustainably harvest timber, generate income and protect forests from illegal exploitation.
“While awareness campaigns and regular inspections have helped curb the problem, authorities stress that continued collaboration with neighbouring countries and stricter enforcement are key to tackling illegal logging in the region,” adds Ndokosho.
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