A stable balance between humans and the wildlife of Namibia need to be achieved to prevent long term issues between the two.
Large focus has been placed on providing aid and support for the farmers of Hardap. This was proved in the numerous measures stated the Huibes Conservancy Constitution. Made even more obvious after the various amendments, made in the constitution, by the delegates; the council has invested a lot of effort in debating over solutions for the problems caused by the drought.
Farmers are now able to take physical action against animals that have inflicted serious damage against them or their crops. In addition to this, farmers and or locals would receive compensation and medication; for example bandages and medicine. They are also be provided with equipment to protect themselves from imminent attacks. This is to “show ppl that even though animals are trespassing their land, we are helping them by doing so, ” said the delegate Teofilus Nghitila.
As great as these implementations sound, this has indirectly resulted in the protection of the wildlife of Namibia becoming a topic that was not as focused on. The wildlife are currently being regarded as a threat to the livelihood of the people of Hardap. The majority of the locals of Hardap are farmers and depend solely on agriculture due to the lack of other income sources. As a result, when these animals are being pushed towards these locals’ farms as a result of the drought, they begin to “attack” locals, which has led to the wildlife now having the image of as violent and predatory.
This in reality, should not be the case, as Hardap’s wildlife plays a key role in Namibian’s tourism industry and thus the economy.
Despite this, the amendments in the Huibes Conservancy Constitution now allow for these vulnerable animals to be hunted and attacked as by farmers. This could potentially detrimentally affect the wildlife industry of Namibia. Together with the new solution to provide farmers with the necessary equipment and weapons to cultivate self defense against animals, animals are now placed in a dire situation and would no longer be able to be as protected as they were.
There are currently protection measures in place in the conservancy constitution. Delegates have designated funds and financial assistance to support these animals. Even so, these animals unfortunately face a higher threat, especially since farmers do not have as many restrictions imposed on them should they go against the regulations.
Delegates have managed to solve the problems that Hardap locals faced, with many amendments pleading the members of the conservancy who wrote previously restrained by the policies of the Conservancy. A balance is however needed to further mitigate any form of wildlife and human conflict in Namibia.
The delegate Sem Shilkongo mentioned that the protection of animals “lie solely in the hands of NGOs (Non Governmental Organisations).” This is because these NGOs are the ones who carry out indepth research on various animals in various locations. Delegates thus proposed that it would be more effective for NGOs to take action and carry out more effective action toward protecting the wildlife of Namibia. This could be done so through “encouraging greater involvement and cooperation of the NGOs” which would be “beneficial to both the NGOs and farmers as these
NGOs would be able to take greater care of the animals of Hardap, ” as elaborated by Sem Shilkongo.
Should more measures benefiting farmers be implemented or added to the Huibes Conservancy Constitution, additional protection measures need to be simultaneously implemented to ensure a balance between the locals and wildlife. Delegates would thus be able to come forth with a sustainable and effective solution to solve human-wildlife conflicts in the long term.
Large focus has been placed on providing aid and support for the farmers of Hardap. This was proved in the numerous measures stated the Huibes Conservancy Constitution. Made even more obvious after the various amendments, made in the constitution, by the delegates; the council has invested a lot of effort in debating over solutions for the problems caused by the drought.
Farmers are now able to take physical action against animals that have inflicted serious damage against them or their crops. In addition to this, farmers and or locals would receive compensation and medication; for example bandages and medicine. They are also be provided with equipment to protect themselves from imminent attacks. This is to “show ppl that even though animals are trespassing their land, we are helping them by doing so, ” said the delegate Teofilus Nghitila.
As great as these implementations sound, this has indirectly resulted in the protection of the wildlife of Namibia becoming a topic that was not as focused on. The wildlife are currently being regarded as a threat to the livelihood of the people of Hardap. The majority of the locals of Hardap are farmers and depend solely on agriculture due to the lack of other income sources. As a result, when these animals are being pushed towards these locals’ farms as a result of the drought, they begin to “attack” locals, which has led to the wildlife now having the image of as violent and predatory.
This in reality, should not be the case, as Hardap’s wildlife plays a key role in Namibian’s tourism industry and thus the economy.
Despite this, the amendments in the Huibes Conservancy Constitution now allow for these vulnerable animals to be hunted and attacked as by farmers. This could potentially detrimentally affect the wildlife industry of Namibia. Together with the new solution to provide farmers with the necessary equipment and weapons to cultivate self defense against animals, animals are now placed in a dire situation and would no longer be able to be as protected as they were.
There are currently protection measures in place in the conservancy constitution. Delegates have designated funds and financial assistance to support these animals. Even so, these animals unfortunately face a higher threat, especially since farmers do not have as many restrictions imposed on them should they go against the regulations.
Delegates have managed to solve the problems that Hardap locals faced, with many amendments pleading the members of the conservancy who wrote previously restrained by the policies of the Conservancy. A balance is however needed to further mitigate any form of wildlife and human conflict in Namibia.
The delegate Sem Shilkongo mentioned that the protection of animals “lie solely in the hands of NGOs (Non Governmental Organisations).” This is because these NGOs are the ones who carry out indepth research on various animals in various locations. Delegates thus proposed that it would be more effective for NGOs to take action and carry out more effective action toward protecting the wildlife of Namibia. This could be done so through “encouraging greater involvement and cooperation of the NGOs” which would be “beneficial to both the NGOs and farmers as these
NGOs would be able to take greater care of the animals of Hardap, ” as elaborated by Sem Shilkongo.
Should more measures benefiting farmers be implemented or added to the Huibes Conservancy Constitution, additional protection measures need to be simultaneously implemented to ensure a balance between the locals and wildlife. Delegates would thus be able to come forth with a sustainable and effective solution to solve human-wildlife conflicts in the long term.
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