A row has broken out over the culling of elephants in Namibia’s northwest. outcry started after the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) gave out trophy hunting permits for three problem bulls. It said there are more than enough elephants in the region, but conservationists maintain that culling is detrimental to the population. But others have said the elephants are doing so well that conflict with local farmers is increasing.
In 2006 there were reportedly 5 637 human-wildlife conflicts. Last year, elephants killed seven people. But the MET said the tension was a result of improved wildlife management. According to the MET, Namibia’s elephants number 20 000, up from 16 000 four years ago. Of these, about three quarters live in the Caprivi Strip and surrounding areas. The other 4 000 live in Etosha and northwest regions and include the famed desert elephants.
There are some 360 elephants in the region where the trophy hunting permits have been issued. T our operators and conservationists argue that populations of desert elephants are dwindling and their equilibrium is being upset by the culling of bulls. H owever, the Namibian Agricultural Union argued, “The negative media coverage of the last two weeks regarding trophy hunting did not consider the escalating elephant-human conflict in the areas adjacent to the far west population. It’s increasingly important that these problems are addressed and a balance is created.” – Servaas van den Bosch
Lululama hands out starter packs for veg gardens
Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs Lululama Xingwana handed out starter packs to the value of R10 000 to identified households to start their own food production gardens as part of the Ilima/Letsema campaign in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape. he campaign forms part of the War on Poverty drive launched by the presidency in Xhariep in the Free State last month, which calls on communities to combat hunger and poverty through increasing food production, particularly livestock improvement and agri-processing.
“Let’s roll up our sleeves and work together to ensure food security, create job opportunities and economic development,” said Xingwana. “gives us the opportunity to transform dead assets [such as land and livestock] in the hands of the poor into economic assets that can be used to combat hunger and poverty, ensure food security and stimulate the growth of the rural economies.” – Staff reporter
