DRIVERS may no longer enter the off-road area in the dunes south of Swakopmund via the Swakop River, according to a media statement released last week (24 March) by the Namibia Coast Conservation and Management (NACOMA) Project.
Off-road vehicles may from now only access the specially designated off-road area in the centre of dune belt between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay through the demarcated corridors opposite Langstrand, Dolfynstrand and Dune 7.At a recent meeting of the Contingency Management Committee, consisting of consisting of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET), Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Erongo Regional Council, the municipalities of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund as well as the Coastal Tourism Association of Namibia and adventure sports operators, it was reiterated that the Swakop River and the adjacent dunes are not an off-road vehicle area.According to the media statement, the committee pointed out that access to the dune belt through a corridor used by Desert Explorers and Outback Orange (on the old road next to the Swakop River bridge) was granted as a temporary measure to the public.’However, certain off-road drivers abused this privilege by consistently illegally driving outside of the demarcated corridor. Also the flags and signs were damaged that are intended to direct traffic through the least sensitive areas. In addition off-road drivers drove into areas especially designed to protect the rich biodiversity and endangered species of the area,’ the statement read.As a result, the corridor that starts at Desert Explorers and runs along the Swakop river bridge will be closed to off-road vehicles except for those with a concession agreement.A Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Coastal Areas of Erongo and Kunene Regions two years ago, highlighted the importance of the Swakop River, the adjacent dunes and gravel plains as one of the most biodiversity rich areas on Namibia’s coast. This area is considered to be of the highest conservation priority.As a result of unchecked off-road driving in the Swakop River, the nearby dunes and gravel plains, several protected endemic species are under threat. These include the Namaqua Chameleon, Damara Tern, Palmato Gecko, Peringuey’s Adder, Namib Sand Snake, skinks, wheel spiders, spore spiders, scorpions, beetles and rodents.Vehicles are only allowed in the Swakop River east of the Rössmund Golf Club, except for quad bikes and motorcycles, which are strictly prohibited in the Swakop River. Horse riding, bicycling, walking and jogging is permitted in the Swakop River and adjacent areas unless it is specifically not permitted in demarcated and signposted exclusion areas (e.g. Damara tern breeding sites, lichen fields, private property).Permits and maps of off-road vehicle areas can be obtained at the MET offices in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, Desert Explorers in Swakopmund, Dare Devil Adventures at Langstrand, and Dune 7 Adventures at Dune 7.
