Namibia to mark Etosha, Namib parks centenary

THE Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) is calling for private sector involvement in celebrations planned to mark the centenary of two parks next year.

Dr Malan Lindeque, Permanent Secretary of the MET, told The Namibian that centenary celebrations are planned for both Etosha National Park and the Namib section of the Namib-Naukluft Park -both of which were gazetted in 1907. As Etosha is Namibia’s flagship park, attracting about 50 per cent of tourists to the country, the celebrations will focus on this area, although the Namib-Naukluft Park will also be included in the year-long celebrations which will kick-off on March 22 next year.He confirmed that a special meeting would take place today where the public will be briefed on centenary plans.Etosha, or the Great White Place, is one of the world’s largest national parks.Stretching more than 350 km from east to west and covering an area of 22 270 square kilometres, the park has 114 mammal species – several of which are rare and endangered – 380 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibians and one fish species.Traditionally used as grazing and hunting lands by resident people, it became a hunter’s paradise among colonial travellers during the 19th century.Concerned about uncontrolled hunting and the need to conserve the area and its wildlife, the then governor of German South West Africa, Dr F von Lindequist, proclaimed four game reserves on March 22 1907 Under Ordinance 88 of 1907.Game Reserve Number Two effectively covered an area incorporating the current Etosha National Park and a large area of Kunene Region.This effectively conserved 93 240 square kilometres of land, its animals and indigenous plants.There were no fences or physical boundaries, and game was in no way restricted in its movements.In 1956, the area of the park was increased to 99 526 square kilometres, making it one of the largest parks in the world.The Odendaal Commission later reduced the park by 77 per cent to its current size of 22 270 square kilometres.Game Reserves one and three were de-proclaimed.Encircled in parts by a three-metre high game-proof fence, vital migratory routes were restricted.Today, a new generation of protected areas is in place, with communal area conservancies in Kunene Region roughly re-establishing the old Etosha boundaries.The Namib Desert Park was also proclaimed in 1907.Several changes to boundaries were made and in 1990, a section of Diamond Area 2 was added to create the current Namib-Naukluft Park with an area of 49 798 square kilometres.The Ministry hopes to raise awareness on the ecological and economic values of the parks and celebrate Namibia’s conservation achievements.It also recognises that the history of parks was not always a positive development.The Ministry hopes to use the centenary occasion to develop a vision for future roles of the national parks with all stakeholders.The Centenary is expected to enable Namibia to market its destinations, products, people and culture domestically and internationally.”The Etosha Centenary celebration presents an ideal opportunity to involve stakeholders from civil society organisations, communities and the private sector, to improve conservation activities and to unlock the potential of the parks for local and national development”, said Ben Beytell, Director of Parks and Wildlife Management.The Ministry has also launched a nation-wide competition for a logo that depicts the 100-year existence of Etosha National Park, its importance to Namibia in terms of natural heritage, wildlife, ecological services, tourism and local development and future roles of national parks in national development effort.The winning logo will be used in communication and promotion of the Etosha Centenary celebrations that will take place between March 22 2007 and March 22 2008.Louisa Nakanuku, Head: Environmental Education and Information Services within the MET will present “Etosha Centenary – 2007: What and why are we celebrating?” today.This takes place at 18h00 at the Polytechnic Hotel and Tourism School.For further information, contact Louisa Nakanuku at Tel: 284 2725 or centenary@span.org.naAs Etosha is Namibia’s flagship park, attracting about 50 per cent of tourists to the country, the celebrations will focus on this area, although the Namib-Naukluft Park will also be included in the year-long celebrations which will kick-off on March 22 next year.He confirmed that a special meeting would take place today where the public will be briefed on centenary plans.Etosha, or the Great White Place, is one of the world’s largest national parks.Stretching more than 350 km from east to west and covering an area of 22 270 square kilometres, the park has 114 mammal species – several of which are rare and endangered – 380 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibians and one fish species.Traditionally used as grazing and hunting lands by resident people, it became a hunter’s paradise among colonial travellers during the 19th century.Concerned about uncontrolled hunting and the need to conserve the area and its wildlife, the then governor of German South West Africa, Dr F von Lindequist, proclaimed four game reserves on March 22 1907 Under Ordinance 88 of 1907.Game Reserve Number Two effectively covered an area incorporating the current Etosha National Park and a large area of Kunene Region.This effectively conserved 93 240 square kilometres of land, its animals and indigenous plants.There were no fences or physical boundaries, and game was in no way restricted in its movements.In 1956, the area of the park was increased to 99 526 square kilometres, making it one of the largest parks in the world.The Odendaal Commission later reduced the park by 77 per cent to its current size of 22 270 square kilometres.Game Reserves one and three were de-proclaimed.Encircled in parts by a three-metre high game-proof fence, vital migratory routes were restricted.Today, a new generation of protected areas is in place, with communal area conservancies in Kunene Region roughly re-establishing the old Etosha boundaries.The Namib Desert Park was also proclaimed in 1907.Several changes to boundaries were made and in 1990, a section of Diamond Area 2 was added to create the current Namib-Naukluft Park with an area of 49 798 square kilometres.The Ministry hopes to raise awareness on the ecological and economic values of the parks and celebrate Namibia’s conservation achievements.It also recognises that the history of parks was not always a positive development.The Ministry hopes to use the centenary occasion to develop a vision for future roles of the national parks with all stakeholders.The Centenary is expected to enable Namibia to market its destinations, products, people and culture domestically and internationally. “The Etosha Centenary celebration presents an ideal opportunity to involve stakeholders from civil society organisations, communities and the private sector, to improve conservation activities and to unlock the potential of the parks for local and national development”, said Ben Beytell, Director of Parks and Wildlife Management.The Ministry has also launched a nation-wide competition for a logo that depicts the 100-year existence of Etosha National Park, its importance to Namibia in terms of natural heritage, wildlife, ecological services, tourism and local development and future roles of national parks in national development effort.The winning logo will be used in communication and promotion of the Etosha Centenary celebrations that will take place between March 22 2007 and March 22 2008. Louisa Nakanuku, Head: Environmental Education and Information Services within the MET will present “Etosha Centenary – 2007: What and why are we celebrating?” today.This takes place at 18h00 at the Polytechnic Hotel and Tourism School.For further information, contact Louisa Nakanuku at Tel: 284 2725 or centenary@span.org.na