Balance Between Conservation And Development Needed

Clemencia Jacobs

21 April 2011

As more uranium mines are being opened in protected areas, a balance between mining and conservation is needed, said Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Minister of Environment and Tourism. Speaking at the launch of the Dorob National Park, Nandi-Ndaitwah said resurgence in the uranium market, uranium mining and the opening of more types of mines in the Dorob, is proving to be a challenge.

“[Mines] can be a cash cow while in production; an important element for economic growth. However, other land uses, such as recreation and tourism are more sustainable and they are important for sustainable development. As a nation, we need therefore to strike a balance between mining and conservation. Dorob National Park will see a number of developmental activities, including mining. Areas of key biodiversity will be off-limits to prospecting and mining activities.

“However, in areas where prospecting and mining operations could be allowed, sound strategic environmental assessment and management has to be done, and a rehabilitation plan must be in place to be fully implemented at the end of the mining operation,” she said at the launch of the park on 16 April.

The environment minister also issued a stern warning to those who are found violating laws which protect the fragile environment, stating that they will have to face the law.

Nandi-Ndaitwah further said allegations that the general public will be prevented from using the park for leisure since its proclamation, are not true.

“Such statements are made by those who want to destroy our environment as they may have nothing to lose. However, I have to make it very clear that desert recreation must be done responsibly, in particular quad-biking and 4×4 [off road driving] will be closely watched. Anyone found violating the laws and regulations, will face the strong fist of the law. Therefore, emphasis on responsible recreation in that fragile environment is a must,” Nandi-Ndaitwah warned.

She called on all visitors and Namibians at the coast to adhere to the current off-road rules for the Dorob National Park and become coastodians of the country’s most important and sensitive assets.

Cleophas Mutjavikua, governor of the Erongo region, concurred with the minister’s sentiments by saying that the key challenge is to cleverly balance the development of mining, fisheries, real estate, transport and other industrial sectors, without compromising the integrity of the coasts seascapes and global ecological importance.

The Dorob National Park was proclaimed on 1 December 2010, in order to address the deterioration of the conservation and environmental status of the coast. With the proclamation of the park, the entire coastline became a protected area. The coastline includes protected areas such as Dorob, Sperrgebiet, Namib-Naukluft and Skeleton Coast National Parks.

In future, these parks may be integrated to form the Namib-Skeleton National Coast Park, stretching over 1570 kilometres. It will be the eighth largest protected area in the world and the largest in Africa.

According to Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia now has a world-class range of national parks that are becoming increasingly important for conservation, the generation of wealth and provision of jobs and income in rural areas through tourism and other activities.

“The government is constantly refining and expanding the protected area network, placing great emphasis on local community involvement and ensuring that benefits are shared and that they spur both local development and conservation success. The Dorob National Park will contribute significantly to conservation, through the protection of the coastal area and benefits to the local communities and the country at large,” she added.

AllAfrica – All the Time