Namibia's commitment to nature conservation has positioned it as a leader in environmental protection on the African continent. The country has integrated nature conservation into its constitution, emphasizing the responsibility of all citizens to protect the environment for future generations. This initiative has resulted in approximately 42% of Namibia's land mass being placed under various forms of protection, surpassing the international target set at the UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal in 2022.
The protected areas include 20 national parks and municipal forests, with local communities actively involved in their management through "conservancies." These community-managed areas are seen as models for balancing ecological preservation with economic benefits. "We are convinced that successful nature conservation is impossible without the participation of people," stated former Namibian Minister of Environment, Pohamba Shifeta.
Namibia boasts significant wildlife populations, including the largest wild populations of black rhinos and cheetahs and a growing population of wild elephants. While human-wildlife conflicts remain a challenge, the government is implementing solutions such as early warning systems and compensation programs.
The development bank KfW has been instrumental in supporting Namibia's conservation efforts on behalf of the German Federal Government. KfW has provided support through initiatives like the Community Conservation Fund of Namibia (CCFN) and the Namibia National Parks Programme (NamParks). These efforts focus on sustainable tourism and park infrastructure development.
Additionally, KfW supports the KAZA project, a cross-border nature reserve that aims to restore wildlife habitats across five countries: Angola, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Beatrice Lucke from KfW remarked on Germany's role as a key partner in these efforts: "We are delighted that we have been able to do our bit here, and that we continue to do so."
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