Windhoek
In an effort to show commitment to the protection of fauna, Namibia will soon open its own school of excellence for wildlife protection training at the Waterberg Plateau Park in the Otjozondjupa Region. The centre will train game rangers from across the country.
Namibia has in recent times been rocked by an increase in poaching of endangered species, such as elephants and rhinos. Illegal poaching of rhinos has lately become rife in Etosha National Park, with some 62 animals hunted and killed by poachers since 2008.
The development of the training academy, which is already in an advanced stage of construction, is said to cost more than N$4 million, including the initial training costs. The project is co-financed by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism through the Game Products Trust Fund (GPTF) and PASS Namibia. PASS stands for ‘Strengthening the Capacity of the Protected Area System to Address New Management Challenges’.
GPTF will be responsible for covering the training costs and has made N$1.88 million available, while PASS is in charge of the whole infrastructure, which is estimated to cost more than N$3 million. GPTF project manager Frans Kamenye confirmed yesterday that the main structures are in place. He said once PASS finishes with setting up the infrastructure, GPTF will release the funds for training to start.
The GPTF was established by an Act of Parliament to support conservation, the management of wildlife resources and rural development in Namibia. Kamenye also revealed that a company called Chuter, which is responsible for training the Namibian Police and Defence Force, has been awarded the contract to train the rangers.
The project came about as a result of the prioritisation consultation organised by the Global Environment Facility that identified the need to strengthen enforcement and improved collaboration with law enforcement agencies in the country and the sub-region to effectively halt poaching, as well as improve fire detection mechanisms and the management of protected areas.
The School of Excellence is expected to be inaugurated by the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, some time between October and November.