usaid/nambia environmental threats and opportunities assessment

5. CONCLUSIONS
Despite some shortfalls in the Land Sector, Namibia has a suite of policies and laws that are largely
conducive for biodiversity conservation and sound natural resource management. The implementation
of these laws, however, and the use of environmental safeguard instruments (including impact
assessment), is currently inadequate. Furthermore, there are sometimes conflicting, sectoral agendas, and
unrealistic “visions” for Namibia’s future.
Terrestrial habitats and resources (water, forests, and wildlife) are under increasing pressure from a
growing population that is experiencing increasing unemployment, poverty (especially in the rural areas)
and the impacts of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Land degradation, deforestation, the overstocking of
domestic animals and the illegal fencing-off of private “farms” on communal land, are all areas of
concern. Furthermore, intensifying development is resulting in:
Unsustainable water abstraction and insufficient consideration regarding the future ecological
water reserve
The questionable expansion of large-scale irrigation projects
Increasing offshore and coastal zone mining activity
As Namibia becomes hotter and experiences increasing rainfall variability and aridity (as predicted by
recent climate change studies), losses in production will be most acutely felt in the agricultural sector
(Turpie et al 2010). These losses will impact most severely on subsistence communities that have limited
opportunity for livelihood diversification. These communities, in turn, are likely to place increasing
pressure on rangelands, protected areas, and biodiversity.
Land degradation and biodiversity loss in Namibia is currently offset by two positive trends:
The increasing tendency amongst some freehold farmers, to invest in wildlife, mixed
wildlife/livestock herds, and to gradually remove fences
The development and success of communal conservancies and the growth of the CBNRM
movement – particularly in the northwest and northeast
Investments from the private sector in eco-lodges
76 USAID/NAMIBIA ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES ASSESSMENT