WINDHOEK, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism announced on Thursday that it has intensified measures to address the issue of human-wildlife conflict across various regions in the country to minimize the negative impacts of such conflicts and promote harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
In response to the growing challenges faced by farmers and communities, the ministry had undertaken a series of practical initiatives aimed at mitigating the impact of such conflicts, Pohamba Shifeta, minister of environment, forestry and tourism, said in a statement.
He said that efforts include conducting awareness and outreach activities in affected areas to educate communities on human-wildlife conflict management.
Additionally, the ministry has provided training to conservancies in eight of the country's regions. It trained 32 lion rangers and 172 game guards on human-wildlife conflict, Shifeta said, adding that to further alleviate the impact on farmers and communities, the ministry also provided fencing materials to 390 farmers to deter elephants and constructed predator-proof kraals in various regions.
"We procured and deployed 35 satellite collars for predators including lions, spotted hyenas, leopards and crocodiles in the northwest and northeastern regions," he said.
In addition to these measures, the ministry has erected early warning towers in Kunene South and equipped boreholes with elephant protection walls and solar panels, he said. ■
