Omaruru residents angry over felled old camelthorn trees

Residents of Omaruru are unhappy after the town council on Monday cut down camelthorn trees believed to be more than 100 years old.

The residents are accusing the newly appointed chief executive officer Valentinus Sindongo of not fully consulting them and of not respecting the environment.

Omaruru resident Christopher Johnson, who has lived in the area for 25 years, said it was an unreasonable and catastrophic decision to cut down the old trees.

“The CEO took it upon himself, without consulting the residents, and we tried to stop it. He does not know how important these trees were. The trees have been there for many years and provided shelter to animals and birds,” he said.

Johnson said although they understand that the trees were municipality property, cutting them down shows the town council does not respect the environment.

“We are the stewards of our environment and we should take care of it. [For] cutting down trees that have been there for years, in my opinion, the CEO should be suspended,” he said.

An Omaruru Residents Association member, who preferred to be called Mama Omaruru, said there was no reason for cutting down the trees.

“It was totally unnecessary. They should have pruned them. Their reasons for cutting them down do not stand. They had a meeting and they advised the residents that they would be revamping the park, but there was no reason for taking down the trees,” she said.

Mama Omaruru said the trees gave shade and oxygen to everyone.

“Those trees must have been standing there for 100 or 120 years – I think nearly 200 years. I am part of the residents’ association, and residents are furious about this thing,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sindongo said they held a public meeting with the residents on the issue of revamping the Luna Park.

“When making changes and development in towns, there will always be resistance from some individuals, but we are doing this for the benefit of our residents.

When we met with the residents last time, we highlighted issues such as sewerage [systems],” he said, adding that they were not cutting all trees, but revamp the Luna Park, which is within the town.

“We are trying to revamp the park since it was never rehabilitated. As a result, these trees have grown along the park’s fence.

For us to make the park and our town look attractive and to attract investment and tourism, we need to, unfortunately, cut the trees along the park’s fence. We’re not cutting for waste, it’s for the place to become viable to anyone and be utilised,” he said.

Environment ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the camelthorn of Omaruru has survived many years in this harsh environment and should be protected.

“We are equally shocked and disappointed by this action.

The town council has not consulted our ministry, as we could have suggested better alternatives to ensure the development could go ahead while the trees could have been saved. I urge town council officials to be inclusive in decisions to avoid unnecessary destruction,” he said.

Muyunda said town council officials should use environmental consultants who can advise them better.

Camelthorn trees are some of Namibia’s protected plants.

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