The government is planning to lift the ban on timber harvesting and transportation to allow communities to benefit from the natural resource.
“I am pleased to report that the restriction introduced on timber harvesting, transportation, marketing and export in 2018 has led to a major reduction in deforestation and illegal timber harvesting.
The Ministry also stepped up forest monitoring and inspection activities to ensure prevention of illegal operations,” Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta said.
He added that the restriction was partially lifted to allow for transportation of timber within the country.
“As a result of this, we have seen the establishment of some local sawmills and increased local value addition taking place with regard to timber resources. This is encouraging and we will consider further lifting of the restriction in the next financial year, at least with respect to community forests that are dependent on the sustainable utilisation of forest resources,” stressed Shifeta.
The Minister underscored the significance of community forests, stating that they are a key instrument in the development and growth of inhabitants.
Community forests now cover an area of 8.7 million hectares, while another 16 Community Forests are in the process of gazettement.
“During the period under review, the Ministry has observed with concern increasing construction of settlements in community forest areas and is calling on the assistance of Traditional Authorities in stamping out this illegal activity,” said a dismayed Shifeta.
On the management of the community forestry, he said 74,000 seedlings were produced from government nurseries, and sold over 61,000 of these to the public at subsidised prices.
A further 800 seedlings were donated to public institutions.
“I would like to encourage all Namibians to do their part in planting trees and procure tree seedlings from nurseries closest to them. In line with climate change predictions, veld fires continue to become more devastating and widespread,” he said.
He however pointed out that the Ministry recorded a reduction in the number of veld fires reported in the country from a total of 1,234 in 2021 to 930 veldfires in 2022 countrywide.
“Additionally, we have also recorded a reduction in regard to area burned from 3.1 million hectares in 2021 to 1.5 hectares destroyed in 2022.”
The worst-affected regions were Zambezi, Kavango West, Kavango East, Kunene, Otjozondjupa, Khomas, Omaheke, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, //Kharas and Oshikoto.
“This is due to the interventions put in place by the Ministry, which includes among others, the implementation of the charcoal production guidelines, maintenance and development of fire cut lines, awareness and training of stakeholders in basic firefighting” stressed Shifeta.
