by Ndalimpinga Lita, Chen Cheng
WINDHOEK, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Every other day, Max Muyemburuko plies the bumpy roads to remote areas in northeastern Namibia to engage local communities in protecting wildlife.
Muyemburuko, a 39-year-old conservationist with the Community-Based Natural Resource Management Program, trains community members on the impact of crucial legislation on the environment and the Integrated Forest and Wildlife Management Plan for 17 community-based organizations.
Namibia has 86 conservancies covering 166,179 square kilometers and benefitting 233,100 local people.
"It is important to educate the communities, highlighting economic benefits to local communities in protecting the environment," Muyemburuko said.
Since taking up the role in 2006, he has convened nearly 200 community meetings.
And the work by Muyemburuko, who needs to grapple with more than just navigating rough terrain, has paid off.
"We observed a mindset shift among locals in the area toward the environment. The aim is to inspire change in how locals treat the environment," Muyemburuko said.
When not convening community meetings on environmental protection in conservation areas, he would be on patrol to curb wildlife crimes such as the poaching of pangolins and rhinos.
According to figures from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, 87 rhinos were reported poached in 2022, up from 45 in 2021, 43 in 2020, and 61 in 2019.
Muyemburuko, troubled by the destruction of natural habitats and the consequent loss of wildlife, wants to make a difference.
"Quite a handy role but key to addressing challenges" such as poaching and extractive industries, he said. "And this is a voluntary work."
Muyemburuko, who grew up in Livayi and Shamambungu villages in Namibia's Kavango East Region, joined the conservation program when he was 22.
Today, his passion for nature is the mainstay of his work.
"Conservation is in my blood from birth, and listening to birds' tweets. I learned early to appreciate the importance of protecting biodiversity, hence choosing this field," Muyemburuko said.
Efforts by Muyemburuko and his colleagues have not only led to the protection of endangered species but also helped to promote sustainable tourism in the country, said Romeo Muyunda, spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.
In 2022, Muyemburuko won the Conservationist Award of the Year from the Directorate of Wildlife and Parks Management in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.
Holder of a travel and tourism management diploma, Muyemburuko is pursuing a degree in tourism management to help create sustainable solutions to preserve Namibia's unique biodiversity.
"The plan is still to put more efforts into conservation activities for a healthier environment," he said. ■