Locations
--- Stakeholders (UNDP, MEFT and NPC) pose with the signed project documents Photo: ©UNDP Comms, 2021 ---
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) and UNDP Namibia today officially endorsed the Project titled: Integrated approach to proactive management of human-wildlife conflict and wildlife crime in hotspot landscapes in Namibia (HWC-WC.) by signing the Project Document (Prodoc). The project worth US$6.247 million (approximately N$92 million) is expected to run from December 2021 until month? 2027. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through UNDP Namibia and it will be implemented by MEFT through its Directorate of Wildlife and National Parks.
The project will adopt four complementary approaches to collectively address the extensive challenges of HWC -WC in communal Conservancies and National Parks across three hotspot landscapes in Namibia namely: North Central (incorporating the flagship Etosha National Park); North West (Kunene region); and North East (incorporating the Bwabwata-Mudumu National Park complex and falling partially within the KAZA Transfrontier Conservation Area).
Speaking at the signing ceremony, UNDP Namibia’s Resident Representative (RR) her excellency Ms. Alka Bhatia noted that the HWC-WC project contributes directly to SDG 15: Life on Land. “This goal targets taking urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.” remarked the RR.
Ms. Alka Bhatia, Resident Representative – UNDP Namibia, giving her Remarks during the project signing ceremony. Photo: © UNDP Comms, 2021
The Executive Director (ED) of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Mr. Teofilus Nghitila noted that the project will bring Namibia under the umbrella of the Global Partnership on Wildlife Conservation and Crime Prevention for Sustainable Development program. “This is again testimony of Namibia’s commitment to work with other countries and international partner organizations for wildlife conservation and the combating of wildlife crime. Through this Programme, we look forward to exchanging lessons and learning from other countries facing similar challenges, not only in Africa but also Asia and Latin America.” The ED alluded.
