George Sanzila
BERGSIG – Members of the Torra conservancy have decried the compensation policy for losses incurred as a result of human/wildlife conflict, calling for an urgent review of the law.
According to the conservancy, the formulation of the policy lacked wide initial consultations while the community has to bear the brunt of losing their livestock and key infrastructure such as water points. As a result, the conservancy faces a mammoth task of having to convince community members of the importance of co-existing with wildlife, while they paradoxically continue to incur losses.
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism compensates farmers losing their livestock between N$1 000 and N$3 000, a far cry from the market value estimated from N$10 000, according to community members. In addition, they complained that compensation for damage to crops was limited to farmers who cultivate fields exceeding a hectare, making it difficult for community members who rely on small scale garden projects for their livelihood.
They narrated their ordeals to the subcommittee enquiring into issues of environment, forestry and tourism under the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, that is on an oversight visit in the Kunene region.
Members of the conservancy further feel even though they continue to manage and conserve wildlife, benefits from such activities are negligible compared to private investors and so-called wildlife researchers who are profiting enormously at their expense.
Conservancy members stated that they have since decided to take mitigating measures such as erection of kraals and wildlife detecting devices, but that such efforts have proven to be futile.
At #Khoadi //Hoas conservancy, one of success stories in community-based conservation, with over 2 000 registered members, an initiative has been taken to supplement the little amount offered by the ministry as compensation.
As a result of the protracted drought however, this initiative faces the prospect of failure, as many wild animals perish with the remaining animals migrating to areas with greener pastures, resulting in increased incidences of human/wildlife conflict due to prey predator ratio that has drastically reduced.
Although faced with these major challenges, the conservancy continues to create employment for locals, including educational sponsorships to students from poor backgrounds.
During a courtesy call on the councillor for Sesfontein, Hendrik Goabaeb, he bemoaned monetary benefits gained by conservancies from joint ventures formed with management companies, adding that so called wildlife researchers should be monitored as they often deviate from their authorised activities to engage in illegal tourism business.
“Even though conservancies are the ones applying for leasehold, they are getting too little from such joint ventures, sometimes only 8%. Some of the private individuals who apply as researchers are also deviating and start operating as business people,” said Goabaeb.
In addition, the councillor accused private investors who own lodges of exploiting employees by paying them poor salaries with little to no benefits. He further cautioned conservancies to be accountable to the community, noting that every asset acquired by the conservancy including the utilisation of money should be accounted for.
Goabaeb noted that special emphasis should also be placed on monitoring mining areas, he says have proven to be hotspots for poachers, particularly Rhino poaching. Human wildlife conflict is a major challenge he says requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders.
He noted that communities should also desist from tendencies of moving to areas that are mostly inhabited by wildlife.
Challenges identified included alleged misuse of both financial resources and assets and lack of tangible benefits to community members. Traditional leaders, however, praised the Community Based Natural Resources Management programme (CBNRM) for having marginally improved the lives of the rural poor, further welcoming the Wildlife and Protected Areas Management Bill envisaged to replace the outdated Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1975. The Bill, which is expected to be passed into law this year, is envisaged to address a wide range of shortcomings in the management of natural resources. The sub committee is chaired by Agnes Kafula, accompanied by fellow MPs, Mike Venaani, Natangwe Ithete and Tangeni Iijambo.