A CONSERVATIONIST and a traditional leader in the North have called for proper management of the Cuvelai Oshana Basin in north-central Namibia.
They say it is a remarkable habitat for many animals and plant species “The Cuvelai Oshana System is the most important ephemeral wetland in Namibia. It provides a humid climate for the growing of crops in every marginal rainfall belt,” Executive Director of the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), Dr Chris Brown, told The Namibian.He said the oshanas provide the moisture and nutrients for rapid growth of grass and other vegetation, bring down protein in the form of fish and frogs and provide a habitat for a range of species, particularly wetland birds.Some of these wetland birds, said Brown, are Red Data species and specially protected, such as flamingos.Other specially protected bird species recorded in the Cuvelai Oshana System are the blue crane (critically endangered), African marsh harrier (endangered), great crested grebe (endangered) and the maccao duck (near threatened).Brown said the Cuvelai Oshana System is also the source of water for the Etosha Pan, Namibia’s most important tourist attraction.”It has considerable tourism potential, based on scenery, wetlands, biodiversity and local culture.With careful planning, good products and efficient services, it would very feasible to encourage a significant proportion of the thousands of tourists visiting Etosha National Park each month to travel north up the Cuvelai system, bringing jobs to people and business in that area,” he said.The NNF aims to promote sustainable development, to conserve biodiversity and natural ecosystems and to promote wise use of natural resources for the benefit of all Namibians.The Chairperson of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, Chief Herman Iipumbu, says the freshwater resources provided by the Cuvelai Oshana System should be used in a sustainable manner.Apart from fish, these water bodies also attract wetland birds, which are threatened by villagers who kill them for their meat.Iipumbu said it was illegal for people to shoot water birds.”It is because of this practice that the number of birds has declined in the North,” he said.He said wetland birds and fish should be preserved and utilised in a sustainable manner so that future generations could also benefit from them.”Every headman should educate his people about this,” said Iipumbu.The Chief Warden for the north-central regions in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Evaristo Nghilai, confirmed that it is illegal to hunt any bird without a permit in terms of the Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1975.He said culprits are usually issued with spot fines, but in the case of an endangered bird, he or she may be taken to court.Nghilai said some of the common water birds found in oshanas in the North are the knob-billed duck (locally known as onkuwa), Cape teal (onkololo), grey heron (nakandunga) and cattle egret (okanyandinyandi).It provides a humid climate for the growing of crops in every marginal rainfall belt,” Executive Director of the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), Dr Chris Brown, told The Namibian.He said the oshanas provide the moisture and nutrients for rapid growth of grass and other vegetation, bring down protein in the form of fish and frogs and provide a habitat for a range of species, particularly wetland birds.Some of these wetland birds, said Brown, are Red Data species and specially protected, such as flamingos.Other specially protected bird species recorded in the Cuvelai Oshana System are the blue crane (critically endangered), African marsh harrier (endangered), great crested grebe (endangered) and the maccao duck (near threatened).Brown said the Cuvelai Oshana System is also the source of water for the Etosha Pan, Namibia’s most important tourist attraction.”It has considerable tourism potential, based on scenery, wetlands, biodiversity and local culture.With careful planning, good products and efficient services, it would very feasible to encourage a significant proportion of the thousands of tourists visiting Etosha National Park each month to travel north up the Cuvelai system, bringing jobs to people and business in that area,” he said.The NNF aims to promote sustainable development, to conserve biodiversity and natural ecosystems and to promote wise use of natural resources for the benefit of all Namibians.The Chairperson of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, Chief Herman Iipumbu, says the freshwater resources provided by the Cuvelai Oshana System should be used in a sustainable manner.Apart from fish, these water bodies also attract wetland birds, which are threatened by villagers who kill them for their meat.Iipumbu said it was illegal for people to shoot water birds.”It is because of this practice that the number of birds has declined in the North,” he said.He said wetland birds and fish should be preserved and utilised in a sustainable manner so that future generations could also benefit from them.”Every headman should educate his people about this,” said Iipumbu. The Chief Warden for the north-central regions in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Evaristo Nghilai, confirmed that it is illegal to hunt any bird without a permit in terms of the Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1975.He said culprits are usually issued with spot fines, but in the case of an endangered bird, he or she may be taken to court.Nghilai said some of the common water birds found in oshanas in the North are the knob-billed duck (locally known as onkuwa), Cape teal (onkololo), grey heron (nakandunga) and cattle egret (okanyandinyandi).
