Tsiseb Conservancy to fund income-generating projects

THE Tsiseb Conservancy, which surrounds the Brandberg, is to make available about N$30 000 towards income-generating projects for its members.

Conservancy manager Eric Xaweb confirmed that conservancy members were asked to come forward during the 2006-07 financial year to apply for loans from Tsiseb as part of its social responsibility programme. We will come up with a detailed strategic plan as to how people will benefit from this funding.An independent committee will choose suitable projects for funding, he said.Tsiseb has also contributed an amount of N$ 22 260 to the Dâure-Daman Traditional Authority.The conservancy provides game meat for the community.Xaweb said he was pleased with the results of a local game count held recently.This was part of a regional count facilitated by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, non-governmental organisations, conservancies and communities.The recent game census shows that the numbers of certain game species had increased drastically since the first game census in 2000, said Xaweb.Projections based on the game count estimate that nearly 18 000 springbok reside in the area.A total of 1 366 were counted, while in 2000 only 258 animals were seen.Zebra, steenbok and ostrich numbers have also increased.Many tourists travel through the area on the way to the famous White Lady rock painting and the increase in game is seen as a positive spin-off for tourism.”There is a management programme in place overseen by our conservancy committee.This looks at conservation and its success is reflected in the increase of game numbers,” said Xaweb.”We are not only here to utilise game but serve to ensure the protection of these animals.”Xaweb added that they had received good co-operation from the communal farmers who were members and the traditional authority.The conservancy annually conducts eight fixed-route counts by vehicle, while resource rangers undertake monthly foot and vehicle patrols.Game is also becoming used to people and does not run away when a vehicle approaches.This is also an indication that poaching is under control, said Xaweb.Tsiseb Conservancy was gazetted in January 2001 and has about 509 members.It is one of Namibia’s largest conservancies, measuring 8 083 square kilometres.We will come up with a detailed strategic plan as to how people will benefit from this funding.An independent committee will choose suitable projects for funding, he said.Tsiseb has also contributed an amount of N$ 22 260 to the Dâure-Daman Traditional Authority.The conservancy provides game meat for the community.Xaweb said he was pleased with the results of a local game count held recently.This was part of a regional count facilitated by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, non-governmental organisations, conservancies and communities.The recent game census shows that the numbers of certain game species had increased drastically since the first game census in 2000, said Xaweb.Projections based on the game count estimate that nearly 18 000 springbok reside in the area.A total of 1 366 were counted, while in 2000 only 258 animals were seen.Zebra, steenbok and ostrich numbers have also increased.Many tourists travel through the area on the way to the famous White Lady rock painting and the increase in game is seen as a positive spin-off for tourism.”There is a management programme in place overseen by our conservancy committee.This looks at conservation and its success is reflected in the increase of game numbers,” said Xaweb.”We are not only here to utilise game but serve to ensure the protection of these animals.”Xaweb added that they had received good co-operation from the communal farmers who were members and the traditional authority.The conservancy annually conducts eight fixed-route counts by vehicle, while resource rangers undertake monthly foot and vehicle patrols.Game is also becoming used to people and does not run away when a vehicle approaches.This is also an indication that poaching is under control, said Xaweb.Tsiseb Conservancy was gazetted in January 2001 and has about 509 members.It is one of Namibia’s largest conservancies, measuring 8 083 square kilometres.