By: Nghiinomenwa Erastus
The environment stakeholders have observed Arbor Day by launching a solid waste team in the country’s biggest wildlife park and restocking the environment with trees.
In a statement released by the Namibia Wildlife Resort this week, the day was observed early this month, where the environment and tourism ministry and the Hai-//om community have come up with a solid waste management team.
According to the state-owned resort manager, the waste management team ensures that the environment is well managed within the Etosha National Park.
If unattended, the lack of solid waste management may lead to significant environmental problems such as soil/land, water, and aesthetic pollution.
As a result, impacting the country’s pristine environment and landscapes that attract substantial tourists.
NWR managing director Matthias Ngwangwama explained that the solid waste management team is an excellent initiative. It offers an opportunity for different individuals within the Etosha National Park to work together.
“Without managing our solid waste, we as Namibia risk our reputation of being the destination of choice for various tourists,” he stated.
The solid waste management initiative is only running in the Etosha National Park, with volunteers so far.
Ngwangwama indicated that the initiative presents an entrepreneurial opportunity.
Tasking the current volunteers will turn this initiative into a business enterprise that will run across all the National Parks in the country.
Ngwangwama also highlighted that other stakeholders, such as Rent-a-Drum, have been long-standing partners managing solid waste.
At the same time, he calls upon other stakeholders to join in tackling solid waste, “which will then see an improvement in our environment”.
Arbor Day aims to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
This year the day was observed under the theme “Forest Restoration: A path to recovery and wellbeing”.
Ever since 1992, Namibia has been observing Arbor Day create awareness on the importance of conserving trees and discouraging human activities that threaten the sustainability of Namibia’s trees and forests, such as deforestation and land degradation.
The day saw the environment and tourism stakeholders restocking the environment by planting 40 indigenous trees to replace the ageing ones in Okaukuejo. In comparison, 14 and 25 trees were planted in Namutoni and Olifantsrus, respectively.
As the famous quote by Warren Buffet states, – “someone is sitting in the shade today because someone decided to plant a tree, explained NWR environmental and compliance specialist Fransiska Nghitila.
She highlighted that “it is important that we all observe this day for our future generations”.
Email: erastus@thevillager.com.na
