Kunene local government supports communal conservancies

For many years the Kunene Regional Council has recognized the contribution conservancies made to the local economy and have long been supportive of community-based natural resources management. The Regional Council recently donated construction material worth over N$ 75,000 to support the development of a community campsite at Okozonguehe village in Orupupa Conservancy.

The donation, including 80 bags of cement, window frames and storage water tanks, came in handy seeing the increased demand for tourist accommodation in the conservancy area. The donation was made in response to women harvesters (Mopane and Devil’s Claws natural plants harvesters) who approached the Regional Council in search of support for their rural development ideas in their community.

The handover at the Kunene Regional Office in Opuwo was attended by the conservancy members and representative from the office of the Regional Governor. The donation was handed over to the Orupupa Conservancy Manager, Mr. Katira Zaako, and construction will soon commence.

The conservancy traditionally makes income from trophy hunting and currently have a contract with a professional hunter. Tourism has been seen by many as an alternative source of income for conservancies and job creation opportunities for its members. The campsite will be owned 100% by the conservancy members for their benefit.

The Kunene Regional Council has worked closely with IRDNC in other conservancy-related developments including the newly proposed Ombonde People’s Park, advocating for IRDNC’s Kunene Highlands Tourism Project, and participating in this year’s National Tourism Expo focusing on conservancies. They have also been involved in supporting drought relief initiatives in the region; all aimed at increasing developments for the benefits of rural communities in Kunene.