Rural people disappointed with environment bill

IT was the hope of the regional councillor for Olukonda constituency in the Oshikoto Region that the Environmental Management Bill would address the issue of human-wildlife conflict, and he is disappointed that it did not.

The bill, passed by the National Assembly last month, is currently under review in the National Council. On Tuesday morning, Phillemon Ndjambula told the House that the bill was vital for the protection of the environment, but he was not entirely happy with it.”I am disappointed because the long-standing outcry of the communities has not been addressed.The conflict between human beings and wild animals results in properties such as mahangu fields being destroyed,” said Ndjambula.He said rural communities expected this problem to be addressed by means of compensating them for their losses.The Ministry of Environment and Tourism believes that human-wildlife conflict is one of the main challenges facing conservation efforts in Namibia.During the Etosha Centenary celebration in September, Oshikoto Governor Penda ya Ndakolo called on Government to pay compensation to people living next to parks when their property is destroyed by wild animals.Ya Ndakolo said although parks such as Etosha were bringing in good money, they were also a source of loss and frustration for people living on their borders.”In many cases, animals such as elephants and lions get out of the park to go and destroy fences, houses and mahangu fields,” said Ya Ndakolo.Earlier this year, four people were killed by elephants in the Caprivi and Erongo regions.Government said a policy on human-wildlife conflict was about to be finalised.Ndjambula is also concerned about veld fires, as they can destroy huge grazing areas.He said some fires are deliberately caused by people who want to stimulate the growth of new grass for their livestock.Also contributing to the NC debate on the bill was Swapo’s Margaret Mensah-Williams, who said Namibia had to protect its flora and fauna in the interest of sustainable development.Mensah-Williams said she was happy that the Namibian Government was looking at sustainable electricity generation.”I applaud them for it,” she said.The Environmental Management Bill provides for thorough environmental assessment studies and consultations with communities and regional and local authorities before projects are undertaken.It further provides for the creation of a Development Advisory Council, the appointment of an Environmental Commissioner and environmental officers.It lays down stiff sentences of N$500 000 or 25 years in prison for non-compliance and gives a lot of power to the new post of Environmental Commissioner and his/her deputy.On Tuesday morning, Phillemon Ndjambula told the House that the bill was vital for the protection of the environment, but he was not entirely happy with it.”I am disappointed because the long-standing outcry of the communities has not been addressed.The conflict between human beings and wild animals results in properties such as mahangu fields being destroyed,” said Ndjambula.He said rural communities expected this problem to be addressed by means of compensating them for their losses.The Ministry of Environment and Tourism believes that human-wildlife conflict is one of the main challenges facing conservation efforts in Namibia.During the Etosha Centenary celebration in September, Oshikoto Governor Penda ya Ndakolo called on Government to pay compensation to people living next to parks when their property is destroyed by wild animals.Ya Ndakolo said although parks such as Etosha were bringing in good money, they were also a source of loss and frustration for people living on their borders.”In many cases, animals such as elephants and lions get out of the park to go and destroy fences, houses and mahangu fields,” said Ya Ndakolo.Earlier this year, four people were killed by elephants in the Caprivi and Erongo regions.Government said a policy on human-wildlife conflict was about to be finalised.Ndjambula is also concerned about veld fires, as they can destroy huge grazing areas.He said some fires are deliberately caused by people who want to stimulate the growth of new grass for their livestock.Also contributing to the NC debate on the bill was Swapo’s Margaret Mensah-Williams, who said Namibia had to protect its flora and fauna in the interest of sustainable development.Mensah-Williams said she was happy that the Namibian Government was looking at sustainable electricity generation.”I applaud them for it,” she said.The Environmental Management Bill provides for thorough environmental assessment studies and consultations with communities and regional and local authorities before projects are undertaken.It further provides for the creation of a Development Advisory Council, the appointment of an Environmental Commissioner and environmental officers.It lays down stiff sentences of N$500 000 or 25 years in prison for non-compliance and gives a lot of power to the new post of Environmental Commissioner and his/her deputy.