Nara Seed Storage and Processing Factory at Rooibank Within the Namib Naukluft Park in Walvis Bay Rural Constituency, Erongo Region

APP-001291

Environmental Impact Assessment For The !Nara Seed Storage And

Processing Factory At Rooibank Within The Namib Naukluft Park In

Walvis Bay Rural Constituency, Erongo Region.

Photo credit: Manni-Goldbeck

CONSULTANT: PROPONENT

Mr. Ipeinge Mundjulu (BSC, MSc) Ms. Hertha Kapopo

Red-Dune Consulting CC Erongo Regional Council

P O Box 27623 Private Bag 5019 Cell: +264 81 147 7889 Tel: 06441057 Windhoek Swakopmund

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

DOCUMENT STATUS FINAL

APPLICATION NO: APP-001291

PROJECT TITLE Environmental Impact Assessment For The !Nara Seed Storage And Processing Factory

CLIENT Erongo Regional Council

PROJECT CONSULTANT (S) Mr. Ipeinge Mundjulu & Grace Shihepo

LOCATION Rooibank, Erongo Region

DATE May 2020

Table of Contents Executive Summary ...... ii 1. Introduction ...... 1 1.1. Regulatory Requirements ...... 1 1.2. The Need and Desirability of the Project ...... 2 1.3. Terms of Reference ...... 2 1.4. Scope of the EIA ...... 3 2. Project Description...... 5 2.1. Location ...... 5 2.2. Project Activities ...... 6 2.2.1. Harvesting ...... 6 2.2.2. The seed storage and processing facility ...... 6 2.2.3. Water supply and all other bulk supply ...... 9 3. Description of the Affected Environment ...... 12 3.1. Land use ...... 12 3.1.1. National Park ...... 12 3.1.2. Rooibank village ...... 12 3.1.3. The Topnaar people ...... 13 3.2. Environmental Parameters ...... 14 3.2.1. Climate ...... 14 3.3. Geomorphology ...... 14 3.3.1. Geology and Soils ...... 14 3.3.2. Topography and Hydrology ...... 14 3.4. Biodiversity ...... 15 3.4.1. Flora ...... 15 3.4.2. Fauna ...... 18 4. Project Alternatives ...... 19 5. Policy and legal framework ...... 21 6. Public Consultation ...... 25 6.1. Newspaper Adverts ...... 25 6.2. Public Meeting ...... 25 7. Impact Identification and Risk Assessment ...... 27

7.1. Impact Identification ...... 27 7.2. Criterial for impact assessment ...... 28 8. Risks Assessment ...... 31 8.1. Planning Phase ...... 31 8.1.1. Public Consultation ...... 31 8.2. Pre-Construction...... 31 8.3. Construction ...... 32 8.3.1. Impact on Bio-Physical Environment ...... 32 8.3.2. Socio-Economic Impacts ...... 37 8.4. Operational Phase ...... 41 8.4.1. Impacts on Bio-physical Environment...... 41 8.4.2. Impact on Human Environment ...... 43 9. Decommissioning Phase ...... 46 10. Conclusions and Recommendations ...... 46 10.1. Conclusions ...... 46 10.2. Recommendations ...... 46 11. Reference ...... 47 12. Appendix ...... 47 12.1. Appendix 1. Newspaper adverts ...... 47 12.2. Appendix 2. Stakeholder consultation ...... 47

List of Figures

Figure 1. The EIA Process in Namibia ...... 4 Figure 2. Location of the !Nara factory as demarcated with a blue place marker ...... 5 Figure 3. Building design for the !nara processing factory ...... 7 Figure 4. !Nara seed processing and oil extraction (images are borrowed for illustration purposes only) ...... 8 Figure 5: The borehole drilled by ERC along the Kuiseb River banks (left), the water reservoirs at the oil processing plant that will store water from the borehole (right) ...... 9 Figure 6. The water pipeline design for the !nara processing plant ...... 10 Figure 7: some of the !Nara plants that were encountered during the site visit, note the flowers and sign of fruiting ...... 15 Figure 8: The general vegetation cover of the area where the pipeline will run ...... 16

List of Tables

Table 1. Identified listed activities concerning the proposed project...... 1 Table 2. Project Alternatives ...... 19 Table 3. Policy and Legal framework governing the project ...... 21 Table 4. Newspaper Adverts ...... 25 Table 5. Stakeholders for the !Nara project ...... 26 Table 6. Impact identification during Construction ...... 27 Table 7. Impact identification during Operation Phase...... 28 Table 8. Criteria for impact assessment ...... 29

ACRONYMS

DEA Department of Environmental Affairs EA Environmental Assessment EAP Environmental Assessment Practitioner EC Environmental Commissioner ECC Environmental Clearance Certificate ECO Environmental Compliance Officer EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMA Environmental Management Act (No. 7 of 2007) EMP Environmental Management Plan ERC Erongo Regional Council MET Ministry of Environment and Tourism NamWater Namibia Water Cooperation OROI One Region One Initiatives PPE Personal Protective Equipment RD Red-Dune Consulting CC TORs Terms of Reference

Executive Summary

Erongo Regional Council (ERC) is a sub-national government that commit to deliver prompt quality and accessible services for the upliftment of local communities, through good governance for sustainable socio-economic development. Specific to this project, ERC is supporting the Topnaar Community in the Kuiseb Delta to operate a !Nara seed storage and processing plant. A borehole has been drilled in August 2019 at Aramstraat in the Kuiseb River bank to supply water to the seed processing factory, however, a pipeline to deliver the water is still to be constructed. The social project aims to ensure sustainable utilization of !Nara plants, create employment, compact desertification and improve livelihood standards of the Topnaar community.

Red-Dune (RD) consultants was enlisted to undertake the requisite environmental assessment and develop and Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The assessment consisted a site visit to the project area to establish the status of the environment and provided practical mitigation measure which shall ensure environmental sustainability. RD recommends that vigilance be exercised during construction of the water pipeline to prevent destruction of protected plant species. Furthermore, ERD must liaise with the Directorate of Forestry should they require to clear some trees that would be obstructing the pipeline route. RD believes that, the information provided is adequate and sufficient to enable the Environmental Commissioner (EC) to make an informed decision and issue the Environmental Clearance Certificate for the project.

1. Introduction

Erongo Regional Council (ERC) is a sub-national government that commit to deliver prompt quality and accessible services for the upliftment of the community, through good governance for sustainable socio-economic development. The division of Rural Services has a mandate to coordinate and implement rural development programmes in the regions. Amongst the regional program, is the One Region One Initiatives (OROI). The OROI programme is aimed at improving rural people’s livelihood through innovation (value addition) and employment creation. The !Nara seed storage and possessing project has been supported through this programme.

ERC is the proponent of this project in supporting the Topnaar Community in the Kuiseb Delta to operate a !Nara seed storage and processing plant. This social project aims to ensure sustainable utilization of the !Nara plants, employment creation, compacting desertification and improving the livelihood standard of the Topnaar community.

1.1. Regulatory Requirements

The protection of the environment is provided for under article 95(1) of the Namibia Constitution and the Environmental Management Act 2007 (Act No 7 of 2007) (EMA). EMA has listed activities that may not be undertaken without an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC). The proposed construction and operation of the !Nara seed storage and processing plant is a listed activity that may not be undertaken without an ECC (Table 1).

Table 1. Identified listed activities concerning the proposed project.

Activity Applicability 5.1 (d) use for nature conservation or The proposed project is within the National Park zoned open space to any other land use. which is a protected area,

10.1 (a) oil, water, gas and petrochemical The projects associated infrastructure will involve and other bulk supply pipelines; the construction of a kilometre above ground water pipeline the will supply water to the project

The EMA consequently obliges Erongo Regional Council (ERC) to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and to develop an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the proposed activities. Against this statutory requirement, ERC has appointed Red-Dune Consulting CC (RDC), an independed environmental consulting company to undertake an EIA and develop an EMP for the proposed project.

1.2. The Need and Desirability of the Project

The !Nara plant (Acanthosicyos horridus) has been a source of food for the Topnaar community along Kuiseb River for centuries. The plant bears fruits that are highly nutritious and seeds rich in antioxidants, omega-6 essential fatty acids as well as vitamins. The oil can be used as food oil or for topical use to treat various skin ailments.

The !Nara seeds and oil is already sold in the coastal towns mainly by Topnaar entrepreneurs and harvesters, but such markets are informal and can be expanded through a formalized approach. The One Region One Initiative programme in Erongo Region intents to coordinate and implement rural development such as establishment of the !Nara seed storage and processing plant. The objective of the processing plant is to generate income for the Topnaar community through value addition and improved access to markets for the products. The project will also add value to the economic viability of the beneficial community through employment creation, capacity building and will enhance sustainable use of the plant.

1.3. Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference (TORs) for this Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is in accordance with the Environmental Management Act 2007 and its Regulation Section 9 (a-b). It considers other relevant local, national and international laws. These guidelines are aimed to focus on issues of greater environmental concerns and to develop mitigation measures for effective environmental

management. Eventually, this EIA is aimed at obtaining the Environmental Clearance Certificate for the project and to ensure environmental sustainability.

The TORs of this project includes, but not limited to the following;

 Provide a comprehensive description of the proposed Project;  Identify relevant legislation and guidelines for the project;  Identify potential environmental (physical, biological and social) conditions of the project location and conduct risk assessment;  Inform Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) and relevant authorities about the proposed project to enable their participation and contribution;  Develop an Environmental Management (EMP) that would be a legal guideline for the environmental protection by the project

1.4. Scope of the EIA

The scope of this project is guided by the Environmental Regulations 2012, which follows the process as shown in figure 2. The scope aims at identifying possible impacts, assessing the impact and formulate the optimum, practical mitigation measure to minimize the impacts.

Red-Dune (RD) believes that the developed Environmental Management Plan (EMP) provided practical mitigation measure which shall ensure environmental sustainability. Further, RD believes that, the information provided is adequate and sufficient to enable the Environmental Commissioner (EC) to make an informed decision and issue the Environmental Clearance Certificate for the project.

APPOINTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTITIONER BY THE PROPONENT

Public Participation PHASE 1. Scoping

Newspaper Advert Determine the Scope of the EIA Site Notices Background Information Document PHASE 2. Environmental and Social Assessment Public Feedback Analyse Impacts Determine mitigation measures (Conduct Specialist, if necessary) PHASE 3. Submission of EIA to Competent Authority

PHASE 4. Competent Authority makes comment and forward application to MET

Appeal to Minister Project Project Not of Environment and Approved Approved Tourism

Implementation of Project

Figure 1. The EIA Process in Namibia

2. Project Description

2.1. Location

The !nara processing plant is located in the Kuiseb valley, at Rooibank Village, about 30km south east of Walvis Bay (-23º.1727777S, 14º.646666) in the Namib Desert, which is known to be one of the world’s oldest deserts (Figure 2). This part of the Kuiseb valley is within Namib Naukluft Park (NNP). An Environmental Management Plan of the NNP is attached as part of this document Appendix 4.

Figure 2. Location of the !Nara factory as demarcated with a blue place marker

2.2. Project Activities

2.2.1. Harvesting of !Nara fruits

For many generations, the Topnaars have been harvesting !Nara melons. Some fruits are eaten fresh while in most cases, the flesh is cut out and boiled for long hours. After cooling, the pulp is then flattened and left to dry. The big flat pieces are thereafter rolled and eaten as fruit rolls. In this form the fruit cakes can also be stored for longer preservation. The seeds which are also very nutritious are dried and eaten as a snack. They can also be grinded to extract oil that is very nutritious.

The mechanism of extracting oil from !Nara seeds has been identified to be an opportunity where value can be added through the use of technology. It is against this background that the One Region One Initiative programme in Erongo Region plans to revive the !Nara seed processing factory at Rooibank.

2.2.2. The seed storage and processing facility

The oil storage and processing facility has already been constructed but supporting infrastructure such as a pipe line to deliver water to the factory is outstanding. The approach to operating the factory will entail training of locals in sustainable harvesting with great support from an experienced private !Nara oil produced. tory is already in existence since this project was initiated since 2005. The design of the processing facility is shown in figure 3 overleaf.

The oil processing facility structures that have been constructed recently

Figure 3. Building design for the !nara processing factory

The processing factory is currently equipped with machines such as hammer mills to crush the seeds and sift; hydraulic oil pressers to produce cold oil !Nara oil. The pressed oil is thereafter bottled up and ready for market consumption.

The crushed seeds ready for pressing The seeds being pressed and releasing the oil

The finished product ready or the market Figure 4. !Nara seed processing and oil extraction (images are borrowed for illustration purposes only)

2.2.3. Water supply and all other bulk supply

The most critical part of this EIA is the construction of a water pipeline that will supply water to the processing plant. ERC drilled a borehole in August 2019 at Aramstraat, 150m north of NamWater production borehole on the banks of the Kuiseb River which is intended to be the source of water for the processing plant figure 5. A summary of the boreholes drilling siting is attached on Appendix 3. The borehole is however not connected to a water pipeline. It is now the intention of ERC to construct a 4km water pipeline from the borehole to supply water to the factory.

Figure 5: The borehole drilled by ERC along the Kuiseb River banks (left), the water reservoirs at the oil processing plant that will store water from the borehole (right)

ERC requested the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLF) to assist with designing the layout for water pipeline. The ministry has since then designed the layout for the pipeline as shown in figure 6 below.

Figure 6. The water pipeline design for the !nara processing plant 10

Two alternative routes for the construction of the pipeline were considered. The routes took into consideration the vegetation cover, topography as well as existing infrastructures. The pipeline will slightly be buried underground up to 0.6m where the ground appears too rocky, while at some areas close to the borehole where the sand is soft, the pipe will be buried up to 1m deep.

3. Description of the Affected Environment

The Kuiseb Valley stretches for approximately 30 kilometers along the Kuiseb River. It is home to the Topnaar Community, the inhabitants of the Namib Desert. The community continues to be depended on the Kuiseb river for water and abundance of the !Nara fields as well as grazing pasture for livestock.

3.1. Land use

3.1.1. National Park

The Kuiseb Valley falls within the Namib Naukluft Park (NNP). The NNP was gazetted as a national park under the Nature Conservation Ordinance No.4 of 1975 and it is the biggest national park in Namibia covering an area of 49,768 km2. The Park spreads from Hardap to Erongo region in the north bordering onto the Dorob National Park.

According to the park regulations, besides tourism and recreational activities, other activities within the park are prohibited, unless an activity is permitted by Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Other importance restriction includes, hunting, chasing, injuring, or killing of any animal and the destruction or collection of any object deemed to have "botanical, zoological, geological, archaeological, historical or any other scientific interest. The NNP is has a comprehensive management plant which to a large extend described the conservation measure of the park.

3.1.2. Rooibank village

The processing factory is located at Rooibank village. The village, is used as a centre by NamWater to store, treat and distribute potable water mainly to Walvis Bay and surrounding communities. The village is home to several NamWater employee, a school, and a church which is at times used to host occasional ceremonial events.

3.1.3. The Topnaar people

The Kuiseb valley is home to the Topnaar community which is part of the Nama ethnic group. The Topnaar are only found in Kuiseb valley and Sesfontein in Kaokoveld. The Sesfontein Topnaar are about 500km north of the Kuiseb valley. The Topnaar are among the oldest inhabitant of Namibia. The Kuiseb valley Topnaar were recorded in 1670 and are the only people living in the Namib desert. There are about 300 Topnaar people in the Kuiseb delta and about 100 in Sesfontein.

Historically, the Topnaar in the Kuiseb valley lived by herding cattle, gardening and collecting the !nara fruit. Over the years, they become more dependable on the !nara pant for the provision of food and water. In 1907, large part of the Namib desert was declared a National park by the German colonial government, which is today known as the Namib Naukluft Park. The declaration prevented hunting and prohibits the herding of livestock or any other activity outside the riverbed. This had negatively affected the Topnaar traditional way of living. In 1975, Namibia, South West Africa by then become a mandate administered by the Apartheid South Africa government. South Africa introduced the infamous “Odendaalplan” which aimed to move and resettle all black people to their “homeland”. The Topnaar refused on the basis that they existed in the park for centuries and that their culture was linked to the !nara plant for their food. Further, they were protected by legal treaties for their traditional rights to use the !nara. Their refusal to be moved from National Park resulted in minimal development

The Topnaar fight for the right to move freely in the Kuiseb valley did not end with the South African Apartheid government. After Namibia gained independence in 1990, their mobility was further reduced with the establishment of the Walvisbay Lagoon Park. Under the leadership of Chief Seth Kooitjie, they requested for recognition as a traditional authority, their right to the natural resources and the development of the Kuiseb Valley.

The above history is important to understand the need for social development of the Topnaar community especially in the context of the protection, conservation and value addition to !nara products.

3.2. Environmental Parameters

3.2.1. Climate

The Namib desert is one of the most arid places in the world. This makes this NNP an arid park. The area has a relatively low amount of rainfall averaging at 50mm per year. The climatic condition of the Namib Desert is influenced by the cold Benguela Current of the Atlantic Ocean. Temperature are generally extreme between 7-32ºC, there are strong eastern winds famously know to enhance the Benguela upwelling, and moisture from fog support life to exist in the severe environment.

3.3. Geomorphology

3.3.1. Geology and Soils

A vast array of dramatic landscapes and scenery, and a huge sense of wilderness, novel to most visitors and highly accessible compared to most extreme desert ecosystems. The Namib Desert is home to sand dunes. Most areas do not have much of soil but exposed bedrocks of Precambrian metamorphites such as micaschists, quartzites and marbles. This is mostly linked to wind erosion. Arable soils are limited to river valleys and flood plans.

3.3.2. Topography and Hydrology

To borehole is located in the Kuiseb River plain. The river plain is flat and sloping toward the Atlantic Ocean in the west. Generally, there are no permanent water bodies in the Namib Desert. The Kuiseb River is an Ephemeral River that only flows when the inland receives good above average rainfall.

3.4. Biodiversity

3.4.1. Flora

In general, the climatic condition of Namib Desert does not support high abundance of vegetation. Vegetation in the desert is normally characterized by dwarf shrubs. Vegetation of concern to this study is rather the riparian vegetation where the construction of a water pipeline will take place which includes camelthorn, ana tree, wild ebony and tamarisk trees and reeds. Some lichen field are also found on some trees and stones of the gravel plain. According to Giess (1998), Faidherbia albida and Acacia erioloba are the most common plant found along the river. These plant are important food the Topnaar livestock and wild animals.

The focus of this project is the !Nara plant (Acanthosicyos horridus) or bush has a deep tap root and has no leaves. The !Nara plant is endemic to Namibia, particularly the Namib Desert. The plant forms clumps of vegetation in the Namib Desert commonly found in the sand dune of the Kuiseb delta. The plants are leafless and bears spherical fruits reaching up to 25 cm average diameter, weighing an average of 1 kilogram (Kg). It can grow to a height of five metres and can spread up to ten metres wide. During the site assessment, a significant number of !Nara plants were found to occur in the vicinity with some already bearing fruits.

Figure 7: some of the !Nara plants that were encountered during the site visit, note the flowers and sign of fruiting

The fruits are harvested between January-April, their seed are highly nutritious because they contain oil and protein. Additionally, the fruit contains sweet juice, it be cooked to a pulp as well as eaten as a fruit. For decades, the !Nara plant has been a great source of food for Topnaar

communities living along the Kuiseb River. Pharmaceutically, the plant is used as an antioxidant, Omega -6 essential fatty acids and vitamins.

The pipeline that is to be connected to the borehole will be established along the banks of the Kuiseb River. This area was found to consist a dense population of plants, mainly protected plant species See Figure 8 and 9. This means that some plants would need to be cleared to make way for the pipeline. As per Namibian forestry regulations, a permit must be obtained should one intend to clear vegetation. ERC will therefore be expected to apply to the Directorate of Forestry to obtain authorization for clearing of some plants. It is however recommended that clearing of plants must only be confined to trees that are obstructing the route of the pipeline. Where practically feasible, matured and older trees must be left in-situ. This is due to the fact that the area is characterised by a sensitive environment and it would take decades for the cleared vegetation to re-establish.

Figure 8: The general vegetation cover of the area where the pipeline will run

The application to obtaining a permit to clear vegetation from the Directorate of Forestry can be undertaken consecutively to that of the Environmental Clearance Certificate. ERC is therefore encouraged to initiate the process in due course. The succession of vegetation in response to changes such as removal of plants species has a profound impact on life in the Kuiseb area, owing to the harsh environmental conditions and scarce plant life in the region. Pictures of the plants identified during the site visit are presented in the table overleaf.

Acacia erioloba (Camelthorn Tree) and its valuable pods used for animal fodder Protection status: Protected in Namibia

Faidherbia albida (Ana tree) Protection status: Protected in Namibia

Thickets of Acanthosicyos horridus

Peschuel-loeschea leubnitziae (Stinkbush) Protection Status: Not protected

Stipagrostis sabulicola (Namib Dune Grass) Endemic to the Namib

3.4.2. Fauna

Ecological studies of the Namibia Desert has indicated that, animal life seem to be absent during the day while in actual fact, a lot of life goes on during the night. Which is simply an arid survival of biodiversity. During the day, the temperature is extremely hot, plant and animal hide in various place, some burry themselves under the sand. In general, the Desert is home insects, snakes, geckos, mice, ants, beetles, spider and bigger animals such as springboks Ostriches and Oryx and Jackals.

The project site and surrounding areas is largely domesticated and no wild animals were sighted during the site assessment. The domestic animals include goats, sheep and donkeys which are mainly used for transport purposes.

Donkey dropings (left) and the local means of transport (right)

4. Project Alternatives

The provision of EMA requires an EIA to explore various project alternative which aims to ensure that a chosen project component does not have significant impact to the environment. Project alternatives includes not implementing the project (No go alternative), when the environmental impacts are severe, or there is high degree of uncertainty and also other alternative such as the project site, technology and equipment to be used. The description of alternatives is given in the table 2 below.

Table 2. Project Alternatives

Alternative Description Advantages Disadvantage Option No Project This alternative would keep the There would be NO environmental The no go project will NO status quo, meaning there will be threats such as; compromise the opportunity no oil processing facility and no  Habitat destruction / clearing of to bring development Topnaar pipeline to transfer water from plant species to make way for community and improve the borehole. construction of the water livelihoods pipeline; and land degradation caused by construction activities Project Site Both the borehole and the  N/A  N/A YES processing factory are already existing, hence limited alternative. The location of the project does not pose grave concern to the environment

Alternative Description Advantages Disadvantage Option Implement This entails the implementation  Enhance development The natural environment YES Project and operation of the project  Enhance skill and capacity could be disturbed during the building construction of water  Improved technology transfer pipelines, but this will be  Improve the socio-economic temporal. condition of the Topnaar Communities

5. Policy and legal framework

The project approval and operation shall be subject to the following national and international laws (Table 3).

Table 3. Policy and Legal framework governing the project

REGULATORY SUMMARY APPLICABILITY FRAMEWORK The Namibian The State shall actively promote and maintain the welfare of the Protection of the environment and Constitution people by adopting policies aimed at … The maintenance of biodiversity ecosystems, essential ecological processes and biological diversity of Namibia and utilization of living natural resources on a sustainable basis for the benefit of all Namibians, both present and future Forest Amendment The act manages, conserves and maintains biological plant The act provides for issuance of Act No. 13 of 2005 diversity and the sustainable use of forest products in a way which permits to allow for harvesting and is compatible with the natural environment. or clearance of plants species. Environmental This act aims to promote the sustainable management of the The acts provide a list of activities Management Act No. environment and the use of natural resources and to provides for a that may not be undertake without 7 of 2007 process of assessment and control of activities which may have an environmental clearance significant effects on the environment; and to provide for certificate to prevent environmental

incidental matters damages Draft Pollution This Bill serves to regulate and prevent the discharge of pollutants To protect the Environment from Control and Waste to air and water as well as providing for general waste management possible hydrocarbons and oil leaks Management Bill from the machinery and vehicles

REGULATORY SUMMARY APPLICABILITY FRAMEWORK Environmental Policy This policy subjects all developments and project to environmental Consideration of all possible framework (1995) assessment and provides guideline for the Environmental impacts and incorporate them in the Assessment. development stages

Seed and Seed To provide for the appointment of the Registrar of seed and seed The seed processing must be done in Varieties Act 23 of varieties and the registration of producers, processors and dealers accordance to this act 2018 of seed and control over imports and exports of seed; to provide for the establishment of the Namibia Seed Council and the Seed Varieties Committee and their powers and functions; to provide for the establishment of a national seed varieties register; to provide for the establishment of the Seed Certification Service and its powers and functions; and to provide for incidental matters. National Solid Waste The strategy to control and manage solid waste in Namibia Proper handling of solid water from Strategy the project Regulations Related Promotes the Safety and Health of employees at the work place Employees subjected to noise, dust to the Health and and injuries Safety of Employees at Work. Reg No. 156

Public Health Act No. To Protect the public from nuisance and states that no person shall Application of proper mitigation 1 of 2015 cause a nuisance or shall suffer to exist on any land or premises measure to prevent aesthetic owned or occupied by him or of which he is in charge any nuisance pollution. Public health from dust or other condition liable to be injurious or dangerous to health. and injuries. Labour Act No. 11 of This Act outlines the labour laws which encompass protection and To ensure the National Labour 2007 safety of employees at work. practices are adhered to.

REGULATORY SUMMARY APPLICABILITY FRAMEWORK Regional Council Act, The Regional Councils Act legislates the establishment of Observe the regional and local 1992 (Act No. 22 of Regional Councils that are responsible for the planning and authority by laws 1992) coordination of regional policies and development. The main objective of this Act is to initiate, supervise, manage and evaluate

development at regional level. Local Authorities Act, provide for the determination, for purposes of local government, of Obey to the local authority by laws 1992 (ACT NO. 23 local authority councils; the establishment of such local authority OF 1992) councils; and to define the powers, duties and functions of local authority councils; and to provide for incidental matters. Water Act No, 54 of All water resources belong to the State. It prevents pollution and Prevention of discharging 1956 promotes the sustainable utilization of the resource contaminated water at unauthorised places Soil Conservation Act To promotes the conservation of soil, prevention of soil erosion Uncontrolled movement of heavy No. 76 of 1969 vehicles and truck at areas surrounding the site may cause land degradation Water Resource The Act stipulates the prevention of both Surface and Ground Possibility of surface and Management Act water sources. groundwater contamination. No.11 of 2011 National Heritage Act The Act gives provision of the protection and conservation of There were no heritage features No.27 of 2004 places and objects with heritage significance. identified on site.

REGULATORY SUMMARY APPLICABILITY FRAMEWORK Precautionary Approach Principle This principle is worldwide accepted when there is a lack of sufficient knowledge and information about proposed development possible threats to the environment. Hence if the anticipated impacts are greater, then precautionary approach is applied.

Polluter Pays Principle This principle ensures that proponent takes responsibility of their actions. Hence in cases of pollution, the proponent bears the full responsibility and cost to clean up the environment.

6. Public Consultation

The provision of the EMA requires an EIA process to follows a robust and comprehensive public consultation. This is an important process, because it gives members of the public, especially the Interested and Affected Parties, an opportunity to comment or raise concerns that may affect the socio-economic or general environment as a result of the project. Furthermore, it solicits crucial local knowledge that the Environmental Assessment Practitioner may not have.

6.1. Newspaper Adverts

The EMA requires that, the project must be advertised into two (2) daily newspapers that are widely circulated in the country (Table 4). The project was advertised for two consecutive weeks in the Namib Times and Confidante Newspaper (Appendix 1). The coastal newspaper of Namib time was chosen in order to attract interest from the coastal community. The project was advertised just before the declaration of the emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The country lockdown meant, that calling for public meeting in the newspaper was not viable. IA&Ps where informed to rather send their comments through emails (see appendix 2).

Table 4. Newspaper Adverts

Newspaper Date advertised Namib Times 19 & 26 March 2020 Confidante 19&26 March 2020

6.2. Public Meeting

A public meeting was scheduled to be conducted at Rooibank with the concerned community. However, due to the prevailing Covid-19 restrictions on public gatherings, such a meeting could not be realized. Red Dunes has undertaken to initiate alternative means of contacts with the Topnaar Traditional Authority and obtain their opinion on the proposed development. Other important stakeholder to the project where directly conducted through email (See appendix 2).

Table 5. Stakeholders for the !Nara project

Telephone No Stakeholder Institution Name of Representative No. Email 1 Red-Dune Consulting CC Mr. Ipeinge Mundjulu 811477889 [email protected] 2 Erongo Regional Council Ms. Hertha Kapopo 812493736 [email protected] 3 Topnaar Traditional Authority Counclr: Wellem Kooitjie 812893899 4 Counclr: Ambrosius Swartbooi 812428360 Ministry of Environment and 5 Tourism Mr. Sigfried Gawiseb 813066791 [email protected] Ministry of Agriculture, Water 6 and Forestry Mr. Stanley Rupingena 812987056 [email protected] Desert Research foundation – 7 Goabeb Research Centre Gillian Maggs-Koelling 64694199 gillian@gobabeb.org Desert Hills , INara Namibia 8 Natural Cosmetics company Ms. Stefanie 811290375 [email protected] Walvis Bay Rural Constituency 9 office Mr. Gariseb 813097793 10 NamPower 64416926 [email protected] 11 Erongo Red Mr. N Niemand 642019000 [email protected]

7. Impact Identification and Risk Assessment

7.1. Impact Identification

The standard practice of impact identification using a checklist method was used to identify potential environmental impacts during construction and operational phase (Table 6 & 7). This process resulted from literature, site assessments and public participation process.

Table 6. Impact identification during Construction

Physical Environment Biological Human Environment Environment

Potential

Impact

Land Degradation Quality Water QualityAir Noise Flora Fauna Health Safety Displacement Employment Heritage Digging & X X X X X Excavating X Oil Spill X X Exhaust X Emission Machinery X X X Noise Accident X Occupational X Health Risk HIV/AIDS X Employment X General Waste X X

Table 7. Impact identification during Operation Phase

Physical Environment Biological Human Environment Environment

Potential

Impact

Land degradation Water Quality QualityAir Noise Flora Fauna Health Safety Displacemen t Employment Heritage Solid Waste X X Liquid Waste X X X Transport X X Occupational X X Health Risk HIV/AIDS X Employment X

7.2. Criterial for impact assessment

Mitigation comprises a hierarchy of measures ranging from preventative of environmental effects by avoidance, to measures that provide opportunities for environmental enhancement. The mitigation hierarchy is: avoidance; reduction; compensation; remediation; and enhancement.

Embedded mitigation, which is part of the design, and good practice mitigation are taken into consideration during the scoping process and through the initial assessment of magnitude and determination of significance. Additional mitigation is identified if the significance of effect requires it and causes the effect to be further reduced. A final assessment of significance of effects is carried out taking into consideration the additional mitigation. The approach for determining and analyzing impacts is undertaken into two steps.

 Impact Determination; during this step, the impact is assessed based on severity, spatial scale and its duration.  Impact Significance; various rating exists to determine the overall rating of the impact

Impact significance is determined under two mitigation scenarios; without mitigation and with mitigation. The confidence of impact mitigation depends on the level of certainty based on available information to assess the impact. Impacts whose level of uncertainties are high, a specialist study maybe commissioned to understand and develop the mitigation measures. If after a specialist studies there are still further uncertainties pertaining the impact, a precaution measure is applied to allow for more studies to be undertaken.

Table 8. Criteria for impact assessment

Risk Event Rating Description of the risk that may lead to an Impact

Impact type 0 No Impact

+VE Positive

-VE Negative

Probability The probability that an impact may occur under the following analysis

1 Improbable (Low likelihood)

2 Low probability

3 Probable (Likely to occur)

4 Highly Probable (Most likely)

5 Definite (Impact will occur irrespective of the applied mitigation measure)

Confidence The confidence level of occurrence in the prediction, based on available knowledge level L Low

M Medium

H High

Significance 0 None (Based on the available information, the potential impact is found (Without to not have a significant impact) Mitigation) L Low (The presence of the impact’s magnitude is expected to be temporal or localized, that may not require alteration to the operation of the project

M Medium (This is when the impact is expected to be of short term moderate and normally regionally. In most cases, such impacts require that the projects is altered to mitigate the impact or alternative method of mitigation is implemented

H High (The impact is definite, can be regional or national and in long term. The impact could have a no go implication unless the project is re- designed or proper mitigation can practically be applied

Mitigation The applied measure / alternative to reduce / avoid an impact

Significance 0 None (Based on the available information, the potential impact is found (With to not have a significant impact) Mitigation) L Low (The presence of the impact’s magnitude is expected to be temporal or localized, that may not require alteration to the operation of the project

Duration Time duration of the impacts

1 Immediate

2 Short-term (0-5 years)

3 Medium-term (5-15 years)

4 Long-term (more than 15 years

5 Permanent

Scale The geographical scale of the impact

1 Site specific

2 Local

3 Regional

4 National

5 International

8. Risks Assessment

8.1. Planning Phase

8.1.1. Public Consultation

To ensure that the project is accepted by the public and avoid possible conflicts, a public notice was advertised in local newspapers. Directly affected stakeholders were conducted via email and telephone and a background information documents was shared with them.

8.2. Pre-Construction

During project planning, Erongo Regional Council requested the Ministry of Agriculture Water and Land Reform to assist with the design of the water pipeline project. The MAWLR was crucial during this time since it is also the competent authority in the regulation of water development infrastructure. The ministry has since then designed the pipeline project. The processing plant is already constructed, fenced and equipped with processing equipment. Focus on the processing factory will be on operation level.

The design of the water pipeline considered two alternatives in considering the shortest possible route with less obstruction to riparian vegetation, and physical infrastructures in the surrounding. Therefore, this construction phase for this study will only consider the water pipeline since the borehole and the processing factory are already operation.

8.3. Construction

8.3.1. Impact on Bio-Physical Environment

Potential Environmental / Social Impact Mitigation Measures Significance of the Impact Flora 1. Obtain a permit from the Directorate of Forestry Type -VE which will guide on clearing of trees; The pipeline will be constructed in the Severity Medium 2. Only clear vegetation along the immediate river system with riparian vegetation. It pipeline area; Scale / Extend Site Specific is inevitable that some vegetation and 3. There must be only one-way road along the pipeline; Probability Definite perhaps trees will need to be cut to make 4. Unless inevitable, do not cut down mature trees Confidence level High way for construction. The impact is not Without Mitigation Medium expected to be significant as these With Mitigation Low riparian vegetation are many distributed along the river.

Fauna 1. Do not kill animals, unless such animals pose Type -VE eminent danger to humans The pipeline will be constructed in the Severity Medium 2. Poaching is strictly forbidden river system where some wild desert Scale / Extend Site Specific 3. Employees must not carry weapons or be in animals can be grazing. Probability Possibly possession of snares Confidence level High Without Mitigation Medium

Potential Environmental / Social Impact Mitigation Measures Significance of the Impact With Mitigation Low

Land Pollution / Surface and Ground 1. Fueling of heavy vehicle in the river bed is Type -VE Water Pollution NOT allowed Severity Medium Heavy vehicle and machinery may 2. Fueling must be done in coordinated manner at Scale / Extend Site Specific pollute water sources from leakages of designated places Probability Definite oils, hydraulic fluids, lubricants and 3. Stationary vehicles must be provided with drip Confidence level High greases. These pollutants may reach tray to capture possible oil, lubricants and Without Mitigation Medium underground water through seepage. hydraulic fluids leakages Additionally, surface water may be 4. All vehicle and machinery must be well With Mitigation Low polluted from surface run off soils that serviced to avoid leakages is polluted. 5. Provide an oil spill emergency response 6. Servicing of vehicles and machinery must take place at designated sites only Land Degradation 1. Movement of heavy vehicles must be Type -VE The river bed consists sandy soil, which coordinated and restricted to be on access roads Severity Medium easily loosen by the movement of heavy 2. There must be a one-way access road to reduce machinery. Hence it is important, that Scale / Extend Site Specific the footprint the movement of vehicle during Probability Possible construction be well coordinated. Confidence level High

Potential Environmental / Social Impact Mitigation Measures Significance of the Impact Without Mitigation Medium With Mitigation Low

Air Pollution 1. Movement of heavy vehicles must strictly be Type -VE restricted within the site. It is inevitable that the movement of Severity Low heavy vehicles loosen the top soil and 2. Adhere to the minimum speed limit of 30 or 40 Scale / Extend Site Specific makes it susceptible to wind erosion km/hour. Probability Possible thereby causing dust pollution. 3. Do not excavate and/or offload sand during Excavation, hauling of sand and heavy winds. Confidence level High construction material all produce large 4. Trucks carrying sand must be covered. Without Mitigation Low amount of dust. Furthermore, air 5. Sand stock piles must be covered or regularly With Mitigation Low sprayed with water.

Potential Environmental / Social Impact Mitigation Measures Significance of the Impact pollution from vehicle exhaust is 6. On site where soil is loosened by vehicle expected but is minimal. movement, apply a dust suppression method such as water spraying. 7. Cement and concrete must be mixed with concrete mixers and not manually in the open. 8. Workers must not be exposed to excess dust and should be provided with appropriate PPE such as dust masks and ear muffs. 9. Adhere to the Labour Act which states that non-toxic human dust exposure levels may not exceed 5mg/m3 for respiratory dust and 15mg/m3 for total dust, 10. Cement bags must be stored and disposed of properly and may not be shaken in the open.

Waste Generation 1. Construction activities generate garbage, Type -VE refuse and building rubble. Waste generated Severity Medium

Potential Environmental / Social Impact Mitigation Measures Significance of the Impact Waste generation shall include, general from the construction site should be classified Scale / Extend Site Specific house hold waste, construction waste into different categories, e.g. Material Waste Probability Definite such as replace parts, broken parts, packaging material and used empty (Wood, steel, corrugated iron, etc.), Building Confidence level High utilities. Rubble (concrete, bricks etc.), Garden Waste Without Mitigation Medium (tree stumps, branches, etc.), Domestic Waste Low (Litter – cans, plastics, tissue, plastics etc.) With Mitigation 2. Each category should be collected separated disposed of, in the most suitable and environmentally acceptable manner 3. There must be sufficient skip containers for domestic waste collection Damage to infrastructures 1. The contractor must obtain maps of existing Type -VE

The area is home to many water infrastructures from NamWater Severity Medium infrastructures owned by NamWater. 2. The movement of heavy vehicles in the area The construction of the pipeline must Scale / Extend Site Specific must be well coordinated ensure that it does not damage existing Probability Possible infrastructures. Confidence level High Without Mitigation Low With Mitigation Low

8.3.2. Socio-Economic Impacts

Potential Environmental / Social Mitigation Measures Significance of the Impact Impact Employment and improved livelihood 1. Ensure that all general work is Type +VE for the Topnaar community reserved for local people unless in Severity Medium To improve the socio-economic condition to circumstances where specialized Scale / Extend Local of the local people, construction workers skills are required. must be sourced locally. Probability Definite 2. Fair compensation and labour Confidence level High practices as per the Namibian Labour Without Mitigation Medium Laws must be followed 3. Ensure skill transfer to the locals With Mitigation Low 4. Ensure all workers go through an induction course HIV/AIDS, Alcohol and Drug abuse 1. Provide awareness to the employees / Type -VE Namibia has high prevalence of recyclers on the danger of alcohol and drug abuse Severity High HIV/AIDS and it is important to ensure Scale / Extend Local that employees are sensitized about the pandemic. Probability Definite Confidence level High Without Mitigation Medium, With Mitigation Low

Potential Environmental / Social Mitigation Measures Significance of the Impact Impact Health and Safety Health; Type -VE The Regulations Relating to the Health 1. Abide to the Occupational Health and Severity High and Safety of Employees at Work, made Safety and Labour Act of Namibia and under Labour Act of 1992 (Act No. 6 of Scale / Extend Local 1992) place legal duty on employers to other statutory requirement such as provide a health and safe working International Labour Practices (ILO) Probability Definite environment to the employees and any 2. Supply first aid kit on site Confidence level High person other than the employees who might be affected by their operations. 3. Train employees on the possible health Without Mitigation High Operation of specialized equipment may hazards to avoid potential risks With Mitigation Low increase safety risk if not executed 4. Provide appropriate Personal correctly Protective Equipment (PPE) 5. Employees must NOT be exposed to noise levels above the required -85dB (A) limit over a period of 8 hours. 6. Adhere to the Labour act, which states that, non-toxic human dust exposure levels may not exceed 5mg/m3 for respiratory dust and 15mg/m3 for total dust. 7. Supply clean drinking water to the site;

Potential Environmental / Social Mitigation Measures Significance of the Impact Impact Safety 8. Ensure that every employee goes through an induction course about safety; 9. Employees must be equipped with all necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including helmets, overalls, safety shoes, safety glasses, gloves, earmuffs, etc. 10. Only qualified and licensed personnel must be allowed to operate machinery and vehicles 11. Adequate safety signs must be displayed on site Archaeology 1. Implement a chance find and steps to Type -VE

There are no known possible heritage or be taken when archaeological material Severity Medium archaeology materials on site findings (heritage rock painting and Scale / Extend Local drawings), human remains or artefacts) Probability Possibly are unearthed Stopping the activity immediately: Confidence level High

i. Informing the operational Without Mitigation Medium, manager or supervisor With Mitigation Low ii. Cordoning off the area with

a danger tape and manager

Potential Environmental / Social Mitigation Measures Significance of the Impact Impact to take appropriate pictures. iii. Manager/supervisor must report the finding(s) to the National Museum (+ 264 61 276 800) or the National Forensic Laboratory (+ 264 61 240 461).

8.4. Operational Phase

The operational impact analysis shall mainly focus on the processing factory. It is our understanding that, Erongo Regional Council shall be handing the borehole to NAMWATER by virtue of being a water resource regulator. The processing factory is not envisaged to be consuming significant amount of water during operation. The water pipeline maintenance will only be required if there are detected leakages, or broken areas along the pipeline, hence not much impact is expected from the pipeline during the operation phase.

The most important aspects during operation is handling of waste from the processing facility, provision of employment and other socio- economic benefits that are to be derived from the project and the conservation of the !nara plant.

8.4.1. Impacts on Bio-physical Environment

Potential Environmental / Social Impact Mitigation Measures Significance of the Impact Harvesting of the !nara fruit 1. Harvesting of the !nara plant Type -VE The economic opportunity by the value addition of must only be done by licensed Severity Medium the !nara seed may create opportunity for or permitted local people uncontrolled harvesting of the !nara plant, thereby Scale / Extend Local 2. Collection of the !Nara fruits threating its existence in the area. The !Nara plant Probability Possibly has a restricted distribution and this may impact must be undertaken in a manner Confidence level High availability of the raw resource. A well- that does not cause damage to the coordinated harvesting approach must be devised Without Mitigation Low to ensure sustainable collection and minimize plants, this will ensure that the disruption to the plants. plants are sustained to continue With Mitigation Low producing fruits

Potential Environmental / Social Impact Mitigation Measures Significance of the Impact Fauna 1. No killing of any type of Insignificant The operation of the project is not expected to animal is allowed unless such impact on fauna. animal pose danger to human health (e.g. snake) Surface and Ground Water Pollution 1. Develop a waste management Type -VE Water may be contaminated from the waste that is strategy Severity Medium to be generated from the processing factory, such as 2. Construct a waste water Scale / Extend Site Specific waste water used to clean the factory and other solid chamber and hire a contract Probability Probable waste if not properly handled. that will be emptying the Confidence level High chamber to an approved site Without Mitigation Low (Walvis Bay waste water treatment site) With Mitigation Low

Potential Environmental / Social Impact Mitigation Measures Significance of the Impact Waste generation 1. Provide skip bins for solid waste and disposed it as an To manage solid waste To prevent littering, approved site (Walvis Bay pollution, contamination of water and general disposal site) environmental health hazards 2. All hydrocarbons must be stored on concrete bunded areas

8.4.2. Impact on Human Environment

Potential Environmental / Social Impact Mitigation Measures Significance of the Impact Employment and improved livelihood for the 1. Unskilled labour must all be Type -VE reserved for local Topnaar community 2. Only employ outsiders where Severity Medium

skills and expertise in not Scale / Extend Site Specific The employment opportunity must be reserved for available locally (But ensure skill transfer to the locals) Probability Definite the Topnaar community. Further, value addition 3. Abide by the labour act will enhance economic gains for harvesters and the Confidence level High

Topnaar community at large Without Mitigation Medium With Mitigation Low.

Potential Environmental / Social Impact Mitigation Measures Significance of the Impact Safety 1. Train staff/employees on Type -VE During operation, employees are susceptible to personnel safety and how to Severity High injuries when operating machineries in the handle equipment and Scale / Extend Site Specific processing factory machinery Probability Probable 2. Provide protective gear for all Confidence level High site staff (helmets, safety shoes, Without Mitigation High overall, hand gloves, ear muffs, dust musk etc.) With Mitigation Low 3. Provide sufficient fire extinguishers and train staff on how to use them 4. Ensure there is a first aid kid at the processing factory HIV/AIDS, Alcohol and Drug Abuse 1. Provide awareness to the Severity -VE The employment opportunity to be created may employees on the danger of Scale / Extend National cause behavior change in a society. Employees alcohol and drug abuse Probability Probable may indulge in risky sexual behavior. Namibia 2. Provide condoms on site Confidence level High has high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and it is Without Mitigation Medium important to ensure that employees are sensitized about the pandemic as well the abuse With Mitigation Low of alcohol and drugs

Potential Environmental / Social Impact Mitigation Measures Significance of the Impact Archaeology Heritage 1. Implement a chance find and Type -VE

There are no known of possible heritage or steps to be taken when Severity Low archaeology materials on site. However, these archaeological material mitigation measures are meant for any chance Scale / Extend Local find findings (heritage rock Probability Possibly painting and drawings), human remains or artefacts) Confidence level High

are unearthed Stopping the Without Mitigation Medium, activity immediately: With Mitigation Low i. Informing the operational

manager or supervisor ii. Cordoning off the area with a danger tape and manager to take appropriate pictures. iii. Manager/supervisor must report the finding(s) to the National Museum (+ 264 61 276 800) or the National Forensic Laboratory (+ 264 61 240 461).

9. Decommissioning Phase

The project is not envisioned to be decommissioned in the near future. However, during the time at which the project shall be decommissioned, a closure and decommission plan must be developed and approved by the competed authority.

10. Conclusions and Recommendations

10.1. Conclusions

Namibia has a policy to develop its marginalized communities. The expected socio-economic benefits are huge especially for the Topnaar communities whose livelihood has been disrupted over the years and living in one of the harshest condition in Namibia. The project is not expected to cause significant biodiversity loss or any irreversible environmental impact.

10.2. Recommendations

It is recommended to the approving authority that this project is approved and be issued with the Environmental Clearance Certificate.

11. Reference

12. Appendix

12.1. Appendix 1. Newspaper adverts 12.2. Appendix 2. Stakeholder consultation 12.3. Appendix 3. Summary of drill siting 12.4. Appendix 4. Management Plan for Namib Naukluft Park

6 NAMIB TIMES 27 MARCH 2020 How salt keeps our drinking water safe

A total of 9 000 tons of bagged salt is shipped from Walvis Bay in the coming days, one of the major and regular bulk export commodities for the port of Walvis Bay. Salt manufactured at Walvis Bay Salt Refiners are exported to various global destinations, including South Africa where it is used among others in the manufacturing of water purification chemicals. Namibia’s national water utility, NamWater, incidentally is one of the major importers of this water purification chemicals to keep the country’s potable water sources safe and healthy. Situated south of Walvis Bay, salt production at Walvis Bay Salt Refiners is expected to reach 1,2 million tons per annum after the evaporation ponds were significantly extended in recent years. Salt production at Walvis Bay is a major direct employer and also indirect employment to local service providers.

Friday 27 March Sunday 29 March High Tide: 04:59 High Tide: 05:54 Low Tide: 10:55 Low Tide: 11:54 High Tide: 17:16 High Tide: 18:18 Low Tide: 23:00 Low Tide: 22:35 Saturday 28 March Monday 30 March High Tide: 05:25 Low Tide: 00:00 Low Tide: 11:23 High Tide: 06:28 High Tide: 17:45 Low Tide: 12:31 Low Tide: 23:28 High Tide: 18:58 Port Log

WALVIS BAY TOWN PLANNING SCHEME CONSENT: Place of Instruction (Health Training Centre) ON ERF: W3073 TOWNSHIP: Walvis Bay STREET: c/o Sam Nuuyoma Avenue & 11th Road, Walvis Bay. In terms of the above-mentioned Scheme, notice is hereby given that I/we, the undersigned, have applied to the Walvis Bay Municipality for permission to erect/establish a Health Training Centre on the site. Plans may be inspected or particulars of this application may be obtained at Town Planning, First Floor, Rooms 101 & 119, Civic Centre. Any person having any objection to the approval of this application, must lodge such objection, together with grounds thereof, with the General Manager: Roads and Building Control, (Town Planning), Private Bag 5017, Walvis Bay and undersigned, in writing, not later than 17 April 2020. NAME AND ADDRESS OF APPLI- CANT(S): Scholashika N Ipinge, P O Box 1835, Walvis Bay 6 NAMIB TIMES 20 MARCH 2020

The six passengers aboard the cruise liner AdiaMira, whom were under quarantine for fears they have contracted Covid-19, tested negative. AidaMira has been quarantined off Cape Town after arriving from Namibia where the ship called at Lüderitz and Walvis Bay respectively. Namport in a statement this week explained all passengers aboard the ship were screened before they disembarked at Lüderitz. The vessel docked at Walvis Bay less than twenty-four hours later. Port health at Walvis Bay decided not to screen passengers again, as the time frame after the screening at Lüderitz was within a twenty-four hours test-window. News that the six passengers tested negative has quelled fears of a Coronavirus pandemic spreading in Namibia. The Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Kalumbi Shangula confirmed this state of affair on Tuesday.

Friday 20 March Sunday 22 March High Tide: 01:44 High Tide: 02:50 Low Tide: 07:49 Low Tide: 08:51 High Tide: 14:01 High Tide: 15:04 Low Tide: 19:59 Low Tide: 20:55 Saturday 21 March Monday 23 March High Tide: 02:20 High Tide: 03:17 Low Tide: 08:23 Low Tide: 09:16 High Tide: 14:35 High Tide: 15:31 Low Tide: 20:29 Low Tide: 21:45 Port Log

NOTICE Please take note that Van Der Westhuizen Town Planning & Properties CC on behalf of the owner/s of Erf 3130, Extention 9, Swa- kopmund, herewith intend to apply to the Municipality of Swakopmund for the following: Rezoning of Erf 3130, Swakopmund, from “Single Residential” with a density of 1:900m² to “General Residential 2" with a density of 1:300m². Any person having any objection against such application should lodge their objection/s in writing with 14 days of the last publication to both the Chief Executive Officer of the Swa- kopmund Municipality and the applicant during normal business hours. Closing date for objection or comments is 7 April 2020. Applicant: v/d Westhuizen Town Planning & Properties cc Tel: 081 122 4661 / 081 244 4441 E-mail: andrew@[email protected] / [email protected] P. O. Box 467, Swakopmund 26 March - 01 April 2020 lifting the lid Page. 21

REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA MINISTRY OF TRADE MINISTRY OF TRADE City of Windhoek NOTICE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT & INDUSTRY LIQUOR & INDUSTRY LIQUOR Vision: To be a SMART and Caring City by 2022 Healthy Earth Environmental Consultants CC (HEEC) PROJECT INVOLVEMENT: ACT,1998 ACT,1998 hereby gives notice to all potentially Interested and Proponent: Okahandja Brick Technologies cc NOTICE OF APPLICA- NOTICE OF Public notice - 25 March 2020 Affected Parties (I&APs) that an application will be TION TO A COMMITTEE IN APPLICATION TO A Public TERMS OF THE LIQUOR COMMITTEE IN TERMS Windhoek residents with made to the Environmental Commissioner in terms of Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP): Healthy ACT, 1998 (Regulation 14, OF THE LIQUOR ACT, 1998 disconnected water accounts the Environmental Management Act (No 7 of 2007) Earth Environmental Consultants CC (HEEC) 26 & 33) (Regulation 14, 26 & 33) have to Noticeregister for reconnection and Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations Notice is given that an Notice is given that an Dear residents, 25 March 2020 (GN 30 of 6 February 2012) for the following: REGISTRATION OF I&APs AND SUBMISSION OF application in terms of application in termsThe of Municipal Council of Windhoek adopted measures to strengthen Windhoek’s PROJECT NAMES: Environmental Impact Assessment COMMENTS: In line with Namibia’s Environmental preparedness and response to the coronavirus pandemic and to prevent further transmission the Liquor Act, 1998, the Liquor Act, 1998,of the virus. Clients whose water accounts are disconnected due to non-payment will be (EIA) for sand mining in the Okakango River, Management Act (No. 7 of 2007) and EIA regulations particulars of which appear particulars of which appearreconnected for the next thirty days (to be disconnected again after this period). PLEASE NOTE that clients will still be billed for theirWindhoek water consumption during this period. within the townlands of Okahandja, Okahandja, (GN 30 of 6 February 2012), all I&APs are hereby below, will be made to the below, will be made toTo havethe your water reconnected as soon as possible, please register by providing the Otjozondjupa Region. invited to register and submit their comments, Regional Liquor Licensing Regional Liquor Licensingfollowing information: residents with Committee, Region: Committee, Region:• Full name concerns or questions in writing via: • Erf number disconnected KHOMAS KHOMAS • Street name PROJECT LOCATION: Email; [email protected] on or before Friday 17th • Name of suburb / township 1. Name and postal 1. Name and postal• Contact number water accounts April 2020. The proposed site for the sand mining project address of applicant, address of applicant,There are two ways of registering forhave reconnection: to OCEANS LOUNGE, P.O. MICHAEL H AMAKALI,1. Phone P our Customer Contact Centre on 061- 290 2162 and provide the above- is located approximately 900 meters East of A public participation meeting will only be held if mentioned information; OR BOX 23514 WINDHOEK O BOX 26614, WINDHOEK2. Visit our Debt Managementregister department at our Head for Office and fill in the register at the reception / security desk by providing the above-mentioned information. Okahandja townlands, in Okahandja, Otjozondjupa there are interests from registered I&AP: 2. Name of business or 2. Name of business or reconnection Region. Regards, proposed Business to proposed BusinessDebt to management department Meeting venue: Community Hall, Okahandja, which applicant relates: which applicant relates: Issued by: OfficeDear of the Chiefresidents, Executive Officer PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Otjozondjupa Region GK KAYGEE TRADING TALONO’S HOME SHOP Corporate Communication, Marketing and Public Participation Date: Saturday, 28 March 2020 ENTERPRISES CC 3.Address/location Tel: +264 61 290 3081 / 3648 / 2365 / 2044 The project involves conducting Environmental Time: 10h00 3.Address/location of prem- of premises to which E-mail: [email protected] Municipal Impact Assessments (EIAs) for mining sand in the a.m. ises to which Application Application relates: Council of Windhoek Okakango River, within the townland of Okahandja, Mobile: relates: ERF 1025 SANDO adopted measures Otjozondjupa Region. 0812050902 ERF 826 CNR PLANCK ROAD, ROCKY to strengthen & VOIGHTS STREET, CREST,WINDHOEK Windhoek’s SOUTHERN INDUSTRIAL Nature and details of Nature and details of application: preparedness application: FOR GRANT OF A and response to RESTAURANT, TAKE SHEBEEN LIQUOR the coronavirus AWAY, BAR AND LOUNGE LICENSE pandemic and to 5. Clerk of the court with 5. Clerk of the court with prevent further whom Application will be whom Application will be transmission lodged: lodged: MAGISTRATE MAGISTRATE COURT COURT WINDHOEK of the virus. WINDHOEK 6.Date on which application 6.Date on which application will be lodged: Clients whose will be lodged: 13 MARCH 2020 water accounts are 26 MARCH 2020 7.Date of meeting of disconnected due to 7.Date of meeting of com- committee at which non-payment will be mittee at which application application will be heard: will be heard: 30 MAY 2020 reconnected for the Any objection or written Any objection or written next thirty days (to be submission in terms of submission in terms of disconnected again section 28 of the Act in re- section 28 of the Act in after this period). lation to the applicant must relation to the applicant be sent or delivered to the must be sent or delivered PLEASE NOTE Secretary of the Committee to the Secretary of the to reach the Secretary not Committee to reach that clients will still be letter than 21 days before the Secretary not letter billed for their water the date of the meeting of than 21 days before the consumption during the Committee at which date of the meeting of this period. the application will be the Committee at which heard. the application will be heard. To have your water reconnected as REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA soon as possible, MINISTRY OF TRADE MINISTRY OF TRADE please register & INDUSTRY LIQUOR & INDUSTRY LIQUOR ACT,1998 ACT,1998 by providing NOTICE OF NOTICE OF the following APPLICATION TO A APPLICATION TO A information: COMMITTEE IN TERMS COMMITTEE IN TERMS OF THE LIQUOR ACT, 1998 OF THE LIQUOR ACT, 1998 • Full name (Regulation 14, 26 & 33) (Regulation 14, 26 & 33) Notice is given that an Notice is given that an • Erf number application in terms of application in terms of • Street name the Liquor Act, 1998, the Liquor Act, 1998, • Name of suburb / particulars of which appear particulars of which appear township below, will be made to the below, will be made to the Regional Liquor Licensing Regional Liquor Licensing • Contact number Committee, Region: Committee, Region: KHOMAS KHOMAS There are two ways ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 1. Name and postal 1. Name and postal of registering for address of applicant, address of applicant, reconnection: GK KAYGEE TRADING SOPHIA NDOKOSHO, P.O. Notice for Rezoning of Erf 3289, Mondesa, Swakopmund 1. Phone our and thereupon Construction of a Service Station ENTERPRISES CC, P.O. BOX 26614, WINDHOEK BOX 23514 WINDHOEK 2. Name of business or Customer Contact proposed Business to MR JULIUS ANTONIUS HEREBY GIVES NOTICE OF 2. Name of business or Centre on 061- 290 THE AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL proposed Business to which applicant relates: 2162 and provide the IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE REZONING OF ERF which applicant relates: TLN BOTTLE STORE abovementioned 3289 FROM GENERAL RESIDENTIAL AND THEREUPON OCEANS LOUNGE 3.Address/location THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SERVICE STATION. The EIA is 3.Address/location of premises to which information; being done as required under the Environmental Management of premises to which Application relates: Act (EMA No 7 of 2007) and the Environmental Impact Application relates: ERF 8670, BELLA VISTA OR Assessment Regulations or 2012. Interested and Affected ERF 826 CNR PLANCK MALL, KHOMASDAL Parties are hereby informed of the availability of the EIA report & VOIGHTS STREET, Nature and details of 2. Visit our Debt as detailed below. SOUTHERN INDUSTRIAL application: Management Nature and details of FOR GRANT OF A department at our PROPONENT: NAMAZA INVESTMENTS CC application: WHOLESALE LIQUOR RESTAURANT, TAKE LICENSE Head Office and fill in PROJECT ACTIVITIES: SERVICE STATION WITH 3 FUEL AWAY, BAR AND LOUNGE 5. Clerk of the court with the register at the DISPENSING PUMPS. 5. Clerk of the court with whom Application will be reception / security whom Application will be lodged: desk by providing PROJECT LOCATION: ERF 3289, MONDESA, lodged: MAGISTRATE MAGISTRATE COURT SWAKOPMUND COURT WINDHOEK WINDHOEK the above-mentioned 6.Date on which application 6.Date on which application information. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS is will be lodged: will be lodged: 27 MARCH 2020 AND REPORT CAN BE OBTAINED FROM 26 MARCH 2020 13 MARCH 2020 Regards, CONSULTANT. 7.Date of meeting of 7.Date of meeting of Debt Management committee at which committee at which Department CONSULTANT DETAILS: Julius Antonius – +264 81 877 8855 application will be heard: application will be heard: E-mail: [email protected] Any objection or written 30 MAY 2020 Issued by: submission in terms of Any objection or written section 28 of the Act in submission in terms of Office of the Chief relation to the applicant section 28 of the Act in Executive Officer must be sent or delivered relation to the applicant Corporate Communi- FOR ADVERTISING to the Secretary of the must be sent or delivered cation, Marketing and Committee to reach to the Secretary of the Public Participation the Secretary not letter Committee to reach Tel: +264 61 290 3081 than 21 days before the the Secretary not letter Contact: Mandy / 3648 / 2365 / 2044 Contact: date of the meeting of than 21 days before the • T: 061 24 6136 C: 081 895 8296 the Committee at which date of the meeting of E-mail: • E: [email protected] 081 314 3900 the application will be the Committee at which cowcommunication@ heard. the application will be heard. windhoekcc.org.na The Gateway to Endless City of Windhoek Opportunities Vision: To be a SMART and Caring City by 2022

19 - 25 March 2020 lifting the lid Page. 27

The Gateway NOTICE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT to Endless City of Windhoek Opportunities Healthy Earth Environmental Consultants CC (HEEC) PROJECT INVOLVEMENT: Vision: To be a SMART and Caring City by 2022 hereby gives notice to all potentially Interested and Proponent: Okahandja Brick Technologies cc Affected Parties (I&APs) that an application will be made to the Environmental Commissioner in terms of Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP): Healthy the Environmental Management Act (No 7 of 2007) Earth Environmental Consultants CC (HEEC) PUBLIC NOTICE and Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (GN 30 of 6 February 2012) for the following: REGISTRATION OF I&APs AND SUBMISSION OF PERMANENT CLOSURE OF PORTION A OF ERF 6281, KATUTURA PROJECT NAMES: Environmental Impact Assessment COMMENTS: In line with Namibia’s Environmental AS ‘PUBLIC OPEN SPACE’ (THE PORTION IS +_ 64.48m IN EXTENT) (EIA) for sand mining in the Okakango River, Management Act (No. 7 of 2007) and EIA regulations AND WILL BE CONSOLIDATED WITH ERF 5780 KATUTURA INTO within the townlands of Okahandja, Okahandja, (GN 30 of 6 February 2012), all I&APs are hereby NEW ERF ‘X’ Otjozondjupa Region. invited to register and submit their comments,

concerns or questions in writing via: Notice is hereby given in terms of section 50(1)(a)(ii) of the PROJECT LOCATION: Email; [email protected] on or before Friday 17th April 2020. Local Authorities Act of 1992 (Act 23 of 1992) that the city The proposed site for the sand mining project of windhoek proposes to close permanently the under- mentioned portion as indicated on locality plan, which lies is located approximately 900 meters East of A public participation meeting will only be held if Okahandja townlands, in Okahandja, Otjozondjupa there are interests from registered I&AP: for inspection during office hours at the office of Urban policy Region. room 517 Municipal offices, Independence Avenue. Meeting venue: Community Hall, Okahandja, PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Otjozondjupa Region PERMANENT CLOSURE OF PORTION A OF ERF 6281, KATUTURA Date: Saturday, 28 March 2020 AS ‘PUBLIC OPEN SPACE’ (THE PORTION IS +_ 64.48m IN EXTENT) The project involves conducting Environmental Time: 10h00 AND WILL BE CONSOLIDATED WITH ERF 5780 KATUTURA INTO Impact Assessments (EIAs) for mining sand in the a.m. Okakango River, within the townland of Okahandja, Mobile: NEW ERF ‘X’ Otjozondjupa Region. 0812050902 Objectons to the proposed closing are to be served on the secretary townships board, private bag 13289 and the Chief Executive Officer, P.O Box 59 Windhoek within 14 days after the appearanceof this notice in accordance with section 50(1)(c) of the aabove Act.

Enquires: Issued by: Department of Economic development and Office of the Chief Executive Officer community services Corporate communication,Marketing and Section Head: Funeral Cremations public participation Mathilda Moncho Tel: +26461 2902365/ 2044 Tel: +264 61 290 3544 Email: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

NKURENKURU TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE INTERIM VALUATION ROLL Call for public participation. In terms of Section 69 of the Local Authorities Act 23 of Notice to all I&AP 1992, as amended, notice is hereby given that the provi- for a proposal sional interim valuation roll containing provisional values of rateable properties within the Nkurenkuru Town Council project or plastic boundary is lying open for public inspections during work- manufacturing ing hours at the Nkurenkuru Town Council office. plant. A valuation court hearing will be held at the Kahenge mag- place: Walvis Bay istrate office on the 22nd of April 2020, 09H00 to consider Industrial area Erf the valuations contained in the Provisional Interim Valua- 2671 tion Roll and all the written objections lodged. Every ob- jector or duly authorized Lawyer should be present at the Project: plastic Valuation Court hearing. meeting: was Owners of rateable properties in respect of which a val- held on the 25 uation is contained in the Provisional Interim Valuation february Roll are hereby called upon to lodge objections and the All affected grounds for such objections against any valuations in writing within 21 days from the date of the publication of this and interested notice. parties forward Please contact the Town Planning Officer, Ms. Shatiwa A. your comments to advanced. @ 066-258089/109, for further information. enviro@yahoo. The closing date for objections is 15 April 2020, 12:00. com The objection forms are also available at the Town Council office.

call 0817606590 Site Visit to !Nara plant and river site for the pipeline

Red Dunes 25 Mar

2020, 04:37 to Hertha

Dear Hertha

Amid COVID-19, I would not be able to come to Erongo, and it will also not be possible to move around because of the lock down order. So, we must proceed with alternatives as follows

1. I am linking you up with my colleague, Ms. Grace Shihepo, copied in this email. You only need to take her to the site, inspect the !nara processing facility and the site where the pipeline will be laid.

2. We need to do that Thursday 26 March before the lock down.

3. We will share the Draft Scoping Report with identified stakeholders through email, we must maintain social distancing as directed.

@ Grace: Please liase with Ms. Hertha to go for site assessment. (Grace: 0812567709 Hertha 0812493736)

Thank you guys

Regards Ipeinge

Invitation to Environmental Impact Assessment meeting Inbox x

Red Dunes Sun, 22

Mar, 23:17 to gawiseb

As per our tellphonic conversation, attached, kindly find the Background Information Document for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the !Nara processing plant. You have been identified as one the main key stakeholders.

Dear Mr. Gawised

Due to COVID-!9, we are not going to invite for a public meeting. Rather, we plan on holding a focus group meeting with the Topnaar Traditional Authority. The meeting will be made up of the following; 1. Topnaar Traditional Authority 2. Topnaar community 3. Namwater 4. Ministry of Environment and Tourism 5. Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry 6. Desert Research foundation – Goabeb Research Centre 7. Erongo Regional Council 8. Desert Hills , INara Namibia Natural Cosmetics company 9. Walvis Bay Rural Constituency office Furthermore, the meeting is planned to be held at Rooibank village on 27 March 2020. If you are not available for this meeting, you can send your comments that we may capture in the scoping report.

Sincerely Ipeinge 0811477889

Background Information for !nara processing factory EIA Inbox x

Red Dunes Thu, 19

Mar, 16:04 to swakopmunddistric

To whom it may concern

Nampower have been identified as one the main key stakeholders in the !nara processing factory. Attached kindly find the Background Information Document for the Environmental Impact assessment to follow for !Nara processing plant.

Sincerely Ipeinge 0811477889

Background Information document for the EIA for !nara processing plant

Red Dunes Thu, 19

Mar, 15:59 to zmowes

Dear Mowes

For the attention of Mr. Nico-Niemand.

Erongo red have been identified as one the main key stakeholders in the !nara processing factory. Attached kindly find the Background Information Document for the Environmental Impact assessment to follow for !Nara processing plant.

Sincerely Ipeinge 0811477889

Background Information for the !Nara processing factory

Red Dunes Thu, 19

Mar, 15:43 to gillian

Dear Gillian

Sincerely Ipeinge 0811477889

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the !Nara Processing Plant

Red Dunes Tue, 17

Mar, 13:17 to Huemmer

Dear Stefanie

As per our conversation, attached, kindly find the Background Information Document for the !Nara processing plant. You have been identified as one the main key stakeholders by Erongo Regional Council.

Due to COVID-!9, we are not going to invited for a public meeting. Rather, we plan on holding a focus group meeting with the Topnaar Traditional Authority. The meeting will comprise of the following; 1. Topnaar Traditional Authority 2. Topnaar community 3. Namwater 4. Ministry of Environment and Tourism 5. Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry 6. Desert Research foundation – Goabeb Research Centre 7. Erongo Regional Council 8. Desert Hills , INara Namibia Natural Cosmetics company 9. Walvis Bay Rural Constituency office Furthermore, the meeting is planned to be held at Rooibank village on 27 March 2020. If you are not available for this meeting, you can send your comments that we may capture in the scoping report.

Sincerely Ipeinge 0811477889

Environmental Impact Assessment for the !Nara Processing Plant Inbox x

Red Dunes Tue, 17

Mar, 11:08 to stanleyrupingena32

Dear Stanley

I am Ipeinge Mundjulu, from Red-Dune Consulting CC. We are undertaking an environmental impact assessment for the !Nara processing plant, where the water pipeline is the main component. Attached, kindly find the Background information document (BID).

There are two proposed routes for the pipeline. Since the Ministry of Agriculture is assisting with the design, I am informed, you in particular, which route (Red or Blue) would be chosen and why? Is the pipeline going to be buried underground or an above ground pipeline?

Due to COVID-19, we will not hold a public meeting at Rooibank. However, we opted to only engage immediate stakeholders. With this, you are invited to the stakeholder meeting which shall be held at Rooibank. I will communicate the date as soon as possible.

Please accept assurance of our highest consideration

Sincerely Ipeinge 0811477889

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE WATER AND FORESTRY

DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRS AND FORESTRY DIRECTORATE OF WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION COORDINATION

DIVISION INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Summary report on the siting and drilling of the second borehole at Aramstraat

Compiled by: Kalla Veronika September 2019

Rural Water Supply Infrastructure Development in the Erongo Region

Table of Contents Introduction ...... 2 Siting of borehole ...... 2 Drilling summary ...... 4 Pumping test summary ...... 4 Water Quality Analysis ...... 8 Conclusions and Recommendations ...... 9

Rural Water Supply Infrastructure Development in the Erongo Region

Introduction Following the outcome of the results for the water quality from the first borehole drilled at Aramstraat, the Erongo Regional Council requested for further technical assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture for siting and drilling supervision of a second borehole. Drilling work was done by Super Drilling cc while the siting and drilling supervision was done by Ms Kalla Veronika and Mr Raphael Ashivudhi, as technical representatives from MAWF.

The field work was carried out between 21 August 2019 and 26 August 2019. During the field exercise the following key tasks were completed:

 Siting of target site through deskwork, observation and geophysics.

 Drilling and pump testing of one borehole.

 Water quality sampling

Table 1: Summary of drill site

Location WW no Latitude Longitude

Aramstraat 205414 23.19771 -14.47272

Siting of borehole Siting work was carried out and completed on 22 August 2019. As a technique to increase the chances of tapping a freshwater aquifer, siting was focused upstream of the newly drilled Erongo Regional Council borehole, which failed the water quality test due to high salinity. Furthermore, literature guided the team to stay away from siting towards the northern banks of the river while Namwater’s boreholes which are concentrated near the southern banks of the river acted as a restriction towards the south.

An Electromagnetic (EM) method was used to identify a favorable site for drilling. Initial readings were taken along the newly drilled borehole of the Erongo Regional Council as well as along the Namwater boreholes with CLASS A-B water quality. The readings were not that

Rural Water Supply Infrastructure Development in the Erongo Region

favorable, which could be explained by the existence of the power lines within the borehole vicinities, causing interference and hence inaccurate readings.

Two main traverses where done, using a 40m cable in a Lo position as well as 20m cables in a Hi position for each traverse. The reason for using the two cables was to try and penetrate possible freshwater bearing aquifers in the zones of 20-30m below the ground level.

A target site was selected based on the best anomalies obtained and is located approximately 150m north of a Namwater production borehole along the first traverse taken (see figure 1 and table 2).

25 conductivity Ms/m (20 m coil) 20 conductivity Ms/m (40

Conductivity(Ms/m) m coil) 15 Drill site 10 0 50 100 150 station spacing (m)

Figure 1: Drill site of the new borehole at traverse 1.

Table 2: Proposed drill site coordinates

Location WW no Latitude Longitude

Aramstraat 205414 23.19771 -14.47272

Rural Water Supply Infrastructure Development in the Erongo Region

Drilling summary Drilling work was commenced on the 22nd August 2019 and was completed on 23rd August 2019. The borehole was initially drilled to a total depth of 21mbgl however, upon commencement of the development of the borehole, it was discovered that the borehole was not yielding sufficient water (less than 1m3/h). A decision was made to remove the casing and drill an additional 7m with the aim of maximizing the aquifer thickness and increasing the yield as a result. The total depth of the borehole was then 28.5mbgl. The intersected geology was a brown-reddish fine to medium, moderately sorted, loose sand (from surface to 28.5m), which is believed to be part of the alluvium sediments. The summary of drilling results is presented in table 3 below.

Table 3: Summary of drilling results

Location WW no Total drill depth Rest Water Blow Apparent water (mbc) Level (mbc) yield(m3/h) quality

Aramstraat 205414 28.5 10.35 17 fresh

Pumping test summary Pumping test is necessary to determine borehole efficiency and establish the optimum pumping rate of the borehole for long term sustainable use as well as to determine the aquifer parameters. A Step test was carried out for four hours (4) followed by recovery test of three (4) hours. Lastly, the Constant discharge test was carried out for another eight (8) hours followed by an eight (8) hours recovery test. The pumping test results are summarized in table 4.

Figure 2 below shows the behavior of the borehole during a four hour pumping at 4 four different rates, which are 5, 10, 15 and 18m3/h. From the graph, it is evident that the water level dropped sharply for the first minute of each new rate, which can be explained by the sudden change in rates, putting the borehole in some sort of shock before stabilizing for the duration of each step. Upon switching the pump off, the borehole recovered to its initial rest water level (10.35) within the first 5 minutes. This may imply that the borehole is strong, and was not

Rural Water Supply Infrastructure Development in the Erongo Region

significantly affected by the rates which were used during the 4 hour test. The rest water level further rose beyond the initial 10.35, with the final level observed at 10.24. This behavior could mean that further development of the borehole was taking place during the step test, cleaning up the aquifer area around the borehole which was affected by the drilling mud.

time (min) 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 10.00

10.50

11.00

11.50 PWL (m) 12.00

12.50 water level waterlevel (m)

13.00

13.50

14.00

Figure 2: A graph showing the behavior of the borehole during the 4 step-step test.

The figure 3 below shows the results obtained from the constant discharge test, which was carried out at a rate of 15m3/h for the duration of 8 hours. A behavior similar to that observed in the step test is observed in the constant discharge in the sense that a sharp drop in the water level from the initial 10.24m was observed within the first minute, after which water level stabilized between 12.63m and 12.61m for the duration of the pumping test. Upon switching the pump off, the water level rose to a level of 10.25m within the first 5 minutes, which is over 99% of recovery.

Rural Water Supply Infrastructure Development in the Erongo Region

time (min) 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 10

10.5

11 PWL (m) 11.5

water level waterlevel (m) 12

12.5

Figure 3: A graph showing the behavior of the borehole (205414) during the constant discharge test.

Rural Water Supply Infrastructure Development in the Erongo Region

Table 4: Aramstraat Pumping test results

Location Drill depth Pumping depth Rest water level Type of test Pumping Duration(hrs) (mbcl) (mbc) (m) rate(m3/h)

Aramstraat 28.5 27 10.35 Step test-rate 1 5 1

Step test-rate 2 10 1

Step test rate 3 15 1

Step test rate 4 17 1

10.35 Constant discharge test 15 8

Rural Water Supply Infrastructure Development in the Erongo Region

Water Quality Analysis At the end of the Pumping tests, water sample was obtained and was submitted to Namwater for Group 2 analysis. The laboratory result has revealed that the Aramstraat water is falling under class B according to Namibia drinking water standards. This implies that the water is of good quality and is suitable for both human, livestock and irrigation purposes.

Laboratory water quality results are summarized in Table 3 below.

Table 5: Water Quality Analysis

Class Parameter of Health risk Suitability for human, Concern livestock and crop consumption Aramstraat B None No risk suitable for both human, irrigation and livestock

Rural Water Supply Infrastructure Development in the Erongo Region

Conclusions and Recommendations

The borehole was successfully drilled, the water quality was found suitable for both human, livestock and irrigation purposes as it falls under Class B as classified by the Namibian Standards for Drinking Water. Table 6 below summarizes recommendations for the borehole installation and abstraction.

Table 6: Recommendation Table

Location Total depth(m) Rest Estimated Recommended Pump Recommended Recommended Quality of water and water maximum installation depth abstraction rate Installation recommended usage level (m) Pump Water (m) (m3/h) for 8 hours a Technology Level (m) day

Aramstraat 28.5 10.35 13 27 Maximum 10 Solar Class B, suitable for both human, Irrigation and livestock consumption

Rural Water Supply Infrastructure Development in the Erongo Region

Management Plan Namib Naukluft Park September 2013

Republic of Namibia Ministry of Environment and Tourism

Author: MET

Ministry of Environment and Tourism Troskie House, Uhland Street P/Bag 13346, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 284 2111

Directorate of Regional Services and Park Management PZN Building, Northern Industria P/Bag 13306, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 284 2518

Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-cormmercial purposes without prior permission from the copyright holder is authorized, provided the source is fully acknowledged.

Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes without prior written permission of the copyright holder is prohibited.

Cover Photo: FOREWORD

National parks are a vital tool for conserving Namibia’s essential biodiversity. By managing parks, their irreplaceable assets and unlimited potential will be conserved for future generations. In addition, every year Namibia’s National Parks draw large numbers of tourists to Namibia, generating employment and stimulating development nationwide. National Parks also provide a unique opportunity to benefit local communities through rural development while providing research, education and recreation opportunities. The Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia’s largest Park, contains all the elements of Namibia’s western landscapes: the country’s largest expanse of sand in the central Namib dune sea, wide gravel plains, a pristine coastline and a connection to the escarpment in the Naukluft Mountains. This is a conservation area of international significance, set within a larger trans-boundary landscape that covers the length of the Namib Desert in South Africa, Namibia and Angola.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism aims to develop the Park as a world class protected desert and coastal landscape and tourism destination, that capitalizes on its scenic beauty and unique biodiversity. This is aimed to enhance both biodiversity conservation and sustainable socio-economic development for the region and the country.

This management plan sets out the objectives and guidelines for the management and development of the Namib Naukluft National Park. As such, it represents the policies and intentions of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) on how the park should be managed.

Park neighbours, traditional authorities, line Ministries, Regional Councils, private sector, tourists, contractors, organizations, institutions, parastatals, researchers, professional hunters, and any entity or individual dealing with the park, in any way, must ensure that any actions and decisions relating to this park are in accordance with the park management plan. In addition, specific rules and regulations in accordance with the applicable legislation will apply.

Shorter-term operational plans or work plans will also be developed in accordance with the activities provided in the park management plan. These will identify specific or annual prioritized actions, which need to be performed to address the priorities specified in the park management plan.

The park management plan must be viewed as valuable and central document by all management and policy level staff involved with a specific park. They should be familiar with its contents, and should make use of it to familiarize new staff with the aims, objectives, management principles and strategies for the park.

It is every staff member’s (involved with Namib Naukluft Park) responsibility to ensure that the park management plan is implemented accordingly.

Uahekua Herunga, MP MINISTER

i PREFACE

The Namib Naukluft Park provides a sanctuary on a very grand scale to large mammals including black rhino (reintroduced to their former range in 2007 to mark the centenary of the park), hartmann’s mountain zebra, giraffe, gemsbok and springbok. Predators such as spotted and brown hyaena, jackal, caracal, leopard and cheetah are also protected in the park. Over 200 bird species have been recorded in the park. The management plan for Namib Naukluft Park was derived from several workshops involving the management of the MET, local communities and other stakeholders. The plan has been designed and structured to be priority focused and action oriented, to facilitate implementation and the achievement of outputs and outcomes. It gives a brief background to the Park, including its purpose and objectives, and placing it in a regional setting, before focusing on park management aspects. Chapter 2 focuses on the management of natural resources in the Park while Chapter 3 addresses aspects of regional conservation, park neighbours and resident relations. The zonation of the Park is detailed in Chapter 4. The management of prospecting and mining, and tourism development are covered in Chapters 5 and 6, respectively. Detailed management considerations for infrastructure are included in Chapter 7, while the last chapter covers aspects of administration and management. The plan is designed around a uniform structure for easy reference and use and should be used in conjunction with park legislation and regulation. The plan therefore articulates, at the strategic level, the ‘What’ must be done; with a brief description of the ‘Why’ these actions must be implemented to attain the specified objectives. It is imperative to operationalize these actions in a clear and detailed annual work plan. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism would like to thank all its staff members, partners and stakeholders who participated in developing this management plan.

Simeon N. Negumbo Permanent Secretary

ii TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword i Preface ii Table of Contents iii Abbreviations and Acronyms 1

1. Chapter 1: Introduction...... 2 1.1. Context of Namibia’s Coastal Parks...... 2 1.2. Geographic features of the Namib Naukluft Park...... 4 1.3. Climate ……………………………..………………...... …………………….. 5 1.4. Biomes…………………………..…………………...... ……………………… 5 1.5. Important features ……………..……………………...... …………………… 5 1.6. Purpose ...... 6 1.7. Objectives...... 7

2. Chapter 2: Management of natural resources...... 9 2.1. Habitats and special sites...... 9 2.2. Fire...... 13 2.3. Rehabilitation...... 13 2.4. Wildlife population management...... 13 2.5. Wildlife introductions ...... 14 2.6. Water points and water management...... 15 2.7. Domestic animal management...... 17 2.8. Fencing...... 17 2.9. Human wildlife conflict management...... 19 2.10. Diseases and parasites...... 20 2.11. Alien species...... 21 2.12. Law enforcement and crime prevention...... 22 2.13. Environmental impact assessment and management...... 23 2.14. Consumptive resource utilization...... 23 2.15. Aquaculture...... 25 2.16. Archaeological and historical heritage...... 25 2.17. Research...... 26 2.18. Monitoring and Information Management...... 27 2.19. Coastal management ...... 28

3. Chapter 3: Regional conservation, park neighbour and resident relations ...... 31 3.1. Transfrontier conservation...... 31 3.2. Landscape level management...... 31 3.3. Park neighbours and resident communities ...... 32 3.4. Private partnerships...... 32 3.5. Environmental education and awareness...... 34

4. Chapter 4: Zonation...... 36

iii 5. Chjapter 5: Prospecting and mining...... 40

6. Chapter 6: Tourism management and development...... 42

7. Chapter 7: Infrastructure...... 44 7.1. Access and roads...... 44 7.2. Buildings...... 45 47.3. Tourism infrastructure...... 45 7.4. Airstrips and aircraft...... 46 7.5. Waste management and pollution...... 47

8. Chapter 8: Administration and management...... 49

iv ABBREVIATIONS amsl – above mean sea level BCLME – Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem CF – Consultative Forum DEA – Department of Environmental Affairs (in MET) DNP – Dorob National Park DRSPM - Directorate of Regional Services and Park Management EIA – Environmental Impact Assessment EMP – Environmental Management Plan HQ - Headquarters HWC – Human Wildlife Conflict IBA – Important Bird Area IPA – Important Plant Area IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature KBA – Key Biodiversity Area LA – Local Authority MC - Management Committee MDP – Management and Development Plan MET – Ministry of Environment and Tourism MFMR – Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources MWTC – Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication NAMPORT – Namibian Port Authority NAMPOL – Namibian Police NGO – Non Governmental Organization NNP – Namib Naukluft Park ORV – Offroad Vehicle PCF – Park Consultative Forum PRDC - Policy Research and Development Committee SF – Strategic Forum SMP - Strategic Management Plan SNP - Sperrgebiet National Park SEA – Strategic Environmental Assessment TORs – Terms of Reference

1 Chapter 1

Introduction

1.1 Context of Namibia’s Coastal Parks

The Coastal Parks of Namibia stretch along the entire Namibian coastline, a distance of about 1,570 km, from the Orange River in the south to the Kunene River in the north (Figure 1). The Coastal Parks comprises four main Protected Areas: the Tsau /Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park in the south, the Namib Naukluft Park, Dorob National Park and the Skeleton Coast National Park. At its narrowest point in the Skeleton Coast, the Park extends about 25 km inland, while at its widest in the Naukluft area it extends inland about 180 km to the top of the escarpment. Namibia is the only continental country in the world that has its entire coastline protected as a national park.

Figure 1: Protected Areas of Namibia including the four Coastal Parks, the Marine Protected Area and the contiguous areas of land under different forms of conservation (e.g. National Parks in Angola, Namibia and South Africa, communal Conservancies and wildlife & tourism Concessions).

2 However, the Coastal Parks do not exist in isolation. In the south across the Orange River the Tsau /Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park borders on the Richtersveld in South Africa, which comprises a protected area of about 160,000 ha within a multiple use buffer zone of about 398,425 ha. This whole area forms the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) under a Treaty between the Governments of Namibia and South Africa.

To the north across the Kunene River the Skeleton Coast National Park joins the Iona National Park in Angola, which covers about 585,000 ha. The Governments of Namibia and Angola have signed an MoU to promote transfrontier cooperation between these parks.

In Namibia the Coastal Parks are contiguous with a large number of protected areas, concessions, conservancies and private land managed for conservation. These are shown in Table 2. Most notable amongst these are the following:

• Coastal and Marine Protected Area off the Sperrgebiet and Namib Naukluft areas, running for 400 km up the coast and about 30 km wide, covering an area of 1.2 million ha and containing all of Namibia’s islands; • Ai-Ais/Fish River Canyon National Park which in turn borders on private protected areas; • Contiguous with 20 communal conservancies and three wildlife and tourism concession areas, and via them linked to the Etosha National Park (2.29 million ha) and thence to further communal and private conservation areas; • Borders on at least 2 million ha of freehold conservancies and private protected areas.

Table 2: Contiguous conservation areas with Namibia’s Coastal Parks Country Name / Tenure Area (ha) South Africa Richtersveld and buffer area / communal (RSA Parks) 558,425 Angola Iona National Park / state 585,000 Namibia Communal conservancies 6,235,500 Wildlife & tourism Concessions 800,000 Freehold conservancies and private protected areas 2,050,000 State Parks (Ministry of Environment & Tourism) 2,651,200 Marine Protected Area (Ministry of Fisheries & Marine 1,200,000 Resources TOTAL 14,080,125

Note that the extent of land under conservation, particularly private land, is constantly changing (increasing) and that, because there is no registration mechanism for private protected areas and game farms, this figure represents an absolute minimum area.

In total the Coastal Parks border onto over 14 million ha of land that is managed primarily for wildlife, biodiversity, conservation and tourism. Together with the parks, this represents a contiguous area of almost 25 million ha. One of the greatest challenges with potentially the greatest rewards is to develop effective, constructive and efficient collaborative management mechanisms across

3 these land and seascapes to optimize both the environmental (including biodiversity) and socio-economic values, while at the same time using these open systems to (a) allow the historic movement and migration patterns of wildlife in response to the highly variable climatic conditions to become re-established, (b) mitigate and buffer the impacts of climate change and thereby make the area more resilient to change, and (c) create incentives for neighbouring land owners and custodians to become part of this conservation landscape, thereby further strengthening the area’s contributions to socio-economic development and environmental conservation. The proclamation of this protected area represents one of Namibia’s greatest conservation achievements, and one of the most exciting developments in the history of conservation in this country.

1.2 Geographic features of the Namib Naukluft Park

The Namib Naukluft Park extends from the Hardap to Erongo regional boundary in the north (and bordering onto the Dorob National Park) to the northern border of the Sperrgebiet in the south, formed by the main road to Luderitz but 20 km short of Luderitz extending due north for about 80 km and then due west to reach the coast at Gibraltar. To the west it borders on the Atlantic Ocean and to the east on freehold farmlands (Figure 1).

4 Figure 2: The Namib Naukluft Park

1.3 Climate

The Namib Naukluft Park (NNP) occupies some of the most arid lands in Africa south of the Sahara. The whole park falls below the 100 mm median annual rainfall isohyet and much of it below the 50 mm isohyet. In addition to the extremely low annual rainfall it is also hugely variable with an annual coefficient of variation ranging typically from 80% to over 100%. With its high evaporation rates and low rainfall, NNP experiences an average water deficit of about 2 m per year. Rain falls mainly from January to March.

The climate of the Namib Desert is influenced mainly by the cold Benguela Current and the South Atlantic Anticyclone. Temperatures are generally moderate (average minimum and maximum temperatures during the coldest and hottest months respectively reflecting a range of about 7-32oC), fog is frequent (about 125 days per year on the coast dropping to about 40 days per year 80 km inland) and wind is a dominant feature. These winds are mainly from the south and drive the Benguela Current northwards, carry sand from the shore onto the adjacent land, and cause

5 upwellings along the coast which bring nutrient-rich waters to the surface.

1.4 Biomes

The NNP falls within the Southern Namib hyper-arid Desert and Coastal Biomes, with the Naukluft extending to above the escarpment into the Desert-Dwarf Shrub Transition of the Nama Karoo Biome. These biomes contain a number of different vegetation types and an even greater number of habitats, described in Section 2.1.

1.5 Important features

The NNP contains a large number of globally significant features. The following are perhaps the most notable:

• About 280 km of coastline, mainly sandy shores, with a number of bays often associated with rocky outcrops or bluffs, and coastal salt flats, with Damara Terns favouring the last mentioned as breeding sites. • The central Namib gravel plains with inselbergs that support plains wildlife such as oryx, springbok and ostrich. • A continuous sand sea of dunes and sandy plains covering some 4 million ha, almost the entire area. The sand sea is presently being nominated as a World Heritage Site. • Three ephemeral endorheic river systems that end in pans amongst the dunes – Tsondabvlei in the north, Sossusvlei near the centre and Koichab Pan in the south. • The Naukluft Mountains which rise from the desert plains at 400-500 m amsl to almost 2,000 m, forming near vertical escarpments and deeply incised valleys. • A vast array of dramatic landscapes and scenery, and a huge sense of wilderness, novel to most visitors and highly accessible compared to most extreme desert ecosystems. • This Park also contains a suite of uniquely adapted organisms to desert conditions, including endemic plants birds, reptiles and invertebrates. • Sandwich Harbour specifically, and in fact the entire Park, is designated an Important Bird Area (IBA), and it also qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). • Two Important Plant Areas (IPAs) occur in the NNP: the Naukluft and the south eastern corner incorporating the Dikwillem range, which support a rich succulent plant community. • The southern part of the NNP borders on a Marine Protected Area that includes the near inshore Mercury Island, a designated IBA.

1.6 Purpose

• To document all relevant information, including historical, biodiversity, archaeological and social context which is relevant for the park. • To describe the general characteristics of the ecosystems contained within the park, as well as the regional biodiversity context within which the park is located. • To guide staff and stakeholders of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism on how the Namib Naukluft Park should be developed and managed.

6 • To assist the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in setting priorities during planning. • To form part of a monitoring and evaluation system that provides the basis for determining whether goals, objectives and strategies specified in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism Strategic Plan and National Development Plans are achieved. • To ensure that the park contributes to sustainable utilization of natural resources and socio- economic development.

The plan for this Park has been designed and structured to be priority focused and action orientated, to facilitate implementation and the achievement of outputs and outcomes. The plan is linked to an annual cycle of management and oversight, involving the preparation of annual work plans, budgets and reporting.

The plan is “principles” based. These principles serve essentially as mini policy statements. Not all eventualities can be planned for, but if the basic principles are established, decisions can be readily made against these principles and thus be in line with Park policy.

The plan is designed around a uniform structure for easy reference and use, and the language is kept simple for broad accessibility. The plan should be used in conjunction with Park legislation and regulations, as well as with other relevant literature on the area. No superfluous or duplicate information is provided in the plan.

1.7 Objectives

• To conserve and wisely manage the landscapes, ecosystems and biological diversity of the NNP with particular attention to areas of high biodiversity, scenic and wilderness values, fragility and tourism pressure and, where necessary, to restore and rehabilitate degraded systems to their natural and productive states. • To manage biodiversity and ecosystems as may be necessary and appropriate to maintain optimal biological diversity, ecosystem stability and resilience under highly variable and globally changing climatic conditions, to manage landscapes and to reintroduce and rebuild populations of plants and animals indigenous to the area within historic times, as appropriate under current and changing conditions. • To promote and support appropriate land and natural resource uses that are compatible with the above objectives, including appropriate levels of protection, tourism development and activities, consumptive and non-consumptive utilization, research, environmental education, awareness and outreach initiatives, and to strive to instill in residents and visitors to the area its high environmental values and unique character which should be harnessed in sustainable ways to ensure its financial viability without compromising on sound conservation principles and practices. • To significantly increase the contributions of the NNP to Namibia’s social and economic development objectives at local, regional and national levels, through appropriate uses of the area that are in harmony with its ecological objectives. • To build coalitions, establish partnerships and collaborative management approaches with citizens, neighbours, NGOs, businesses and other government institutions for focal and landscape level conservation, law enforcement, socio-economic development, marketing, awareness creation and education, monitoring and research and strategic planning and

7 development, to enhance the diversity, viability and competitiveness of the NNP within the context of the Coastal Parks, Namibia and southern Africa. • To demonstrate the ecological, social and economic viability, sustainability and competitiveness of integrated and carefully zoned land uses and management, with an emphasis on conservation and tourism-based enterprises where relatively high human pressures occur in hyper-arid coastal areas. • To seamlessly link the NNP with the other Coastal Parks, and with emerging and future Coastal and Marine Protected Areas, under a management and marketing umbrella that expands to an ecosystems and landscape collaborative management approach with compatible neighbours and works towards creating a World Heritage Site between the Orange and Kunene Rivers (and beyond).

8 Chapter 2

Management of natural resources 2.1 Habitats and special sites

2.1.1 Habitat units ☼☼☼☼☼

Despite covering a relatively large area within the west coast of Namibia (over 40%), the NNP has fewer habitats than the other Coastal Parks. For the purpose of this management plan, the Park is divided into Coastal and Terrestrial categories. The first contains three habitats, the second fifteen habitats, totalling 28 different habitats (see Table 1 below). A sensitivity rating is provided, ranging from ☼ = low sensitivity to ☼☼☼☼☼ = highly sensitive and / or of high environmental value.

Table 1: Preliminary list of habitats Category Habitat Sensitivity Notes Sandy shore ☼☼☼ Generally moderately sensitive, especially in bays Rocky shore, ☼☼☼☼ Generally slightly more sensitive coastal outcrops than above because of high and bluffs biodiversity. Gravel plains ☼☼☼☼ Coastal gravel plains enjoy Coastal relatively more fog than further inland and are favoured habitat for lichens. The gypsum-rich soil makes them sensitive to scarring from vehicle tracks. Sand sea, including ☼☼☼ Namib sand sea – shifting dunes dunes and sandy that are relatively resilient, plains but support arid adapted and endemic wildlife Gravel plains ☼☼ Plains greater than about 60 km from the coast are more calcrete- rich and are less sensitive than the gypsum plains near the coast. Terrestrial Nevertheless, they are sensitive to scarring from vehicle tracks. Ephemeral river ☼☼☼☼ Lifeblood of the Namib, these courses systems support diverse plant and animal life, and are linear oases across the hyper-arid zone

9 Endorheic pans ☼☼☼☼☼ End points of ephemeral rivers in and “vleis” the dunes, providing high scenic and biodiversity values. Sossusvlei has been subject to large tourism development and pressure, while Koichab Pan is an important source of water to Luderitz. Tsondabvlei is designated as a highly sensitive zone and must be carefully protected. Inselbergs ☼☼☼☼ Important from archeological, biodiversity and aesthetic perspectives. Inland rocky hills ☼☼☼ Less sensitive that inselbergs, but nonetheless important for biodiversity and refugia for plans and animals, particularly during dry periods Terrestrial Naukluft escarp- ☼☼☼ Scenic value and important for ment cliff-nesting birds and cliff-loving plants Naukluft incised ☼☼☼☼ Rich and highly unusual valleys and wet- ecosystems, often containing lands pools of water throughout the year and providing this essential resource to plants, birds, mammals and insects. Naukluft Plateau ☼☼☼ The only part of the Namibia escarpment that is in a State protected area, and therefore requiring high levels of protection.

Principle The comprehensive diversity of landscapes, habitats, plants and animals indigenous to the NNP are protected and both ecosystem functioning and natural evolutionary processes take place effectively.

Objective To protect and conserve the diversity of “sense of place”, landscapes, habitats and biota of the NNP in healthy and productive condition within the context of the Greater Namib Area.

Strategies a) Because of the large open systems involved, and the intention to create linkages with adjacent ecosystems (e.g. coastal and marine to west and escarpment belt to east), ecosystem

10 management should be minimal, and a largely hands-off approach should be adopted, but ‘hands-on’ in terms of forging strategic partnerships for open landscape conservation and to prevent and/or minimizing damage to important habitats and species in the NNP. b) Should it become necessary to apply active management, interventions should aim to manage the arid ecosystems for long-term diversity, health, productivity and climate change resilience and adaptation, by ensuring connectivity, preventing over use of all components, including water, fauna and flora, landscapes, etc. c) Allow and promote variability in management and “patchiness” in ecosystem expression in response to variable climatic conditions and ecosystem functioning. d) Build up a good monitoring record of ecological and bio-climatic information, including the diversity and abundance of various species in different taxa, including the less studied lower plants, invertebrates, etc. e) Monitor the health of populations of species high on the food chain (e.g. key predators and scavengers), flagship and keystone species and other strategic key indicator species (including indicator species for early warning of climate change impacts) – if these species prosper it follows that the base of the food chain is likely to be diverse and in good condition. f) Monitor key habitats such as Important Bird Areas and Important Plant Areas. g) Monitor human impacts on landscapes, ecosystems, habitats and species with particular attention to fragile and high value components of the system, and human activities known to have significant impacts. h) Participatory and outsourced approaches for monitoring should be used, fully involving relevant stakeholders. i) No poisons or pesticides (or other toxic chemicals) may be used in the park unless when approved by the Director responsible for Park Management.

Activities Actions Timing Set up (where necessary), implement and support monitoring systems 2014 for ecosystem health, key habitats, and biodiversity building on existing systems used elsewhere (e.g. Event Book system) and continuing with long-term data series (e.g. wetland bird counts) Identify priority baseline information needs 2015 Set up, implement and support monitoring systems for human impacts on 2015 important components of the Park Review and fine tune habitat categories 2015 Prepare poster for staff, residents and visitors on the habitats (land forms and vegetation types) of the NNP, with photographs and sensitivity ratings Ensure that no toxic substances, poisons or pesticides are used in the Park 2013 and onwards

The following components are subsets of the Biodiversity Conservation category, and provide more details on specific components:

11 2.1.2 Sandwich Harbour Ramsar Site

Principle This wetland area of international significance, with high numbers of wetland birds, including Red Data species, should be afforded the highest level of protection that legislation, zonation and management practices can provide.

Objective To protect, monitor, understand, manage and conserve the Sandwich Harbour Ramsar sites, and their ecosystem functioning, with particular attention to the wetland birds which serve as sensitive indicators to the health of the system.

Strategies a) Strictly implement and enforce the zonation rules and regulations for the Sandwich Harbour wetland. b) Ensure that long-term monitoring of the health of these wetlands continues, using bird counts, water quality and other appropriate means, and via participatory and outsourced mechanisms. c) Establish an early warning system to mobilize appropriate action in the event of problems being identified, either through monitoring or from incidental information. d) Disseminate information on the ecological and socio-economic values of these wetlands to local residents (particularly via schools), visitors, decision-makers and to the general public.

Activities Actions Timing Apply strict enforcement of zonation rules and regulations for the 2013 and ongoing Sandwich Harbour wetland Provide good quality information boards in appropriate locations around 2014 and ongoing the wetlands, including information on zonation, regulations and the roles and authority of Honorary Wardens. Also provide a HotLine telephone number for the public to report people who violate the regulations. Ensure that regular monitoring of the health of the wetlands is 2013 and ongoing undertaken. Where existing monitoring is being undertaken by partner organizations (e.g. bird counts), support them to continue this working. Where new monitoring parameters are deemed necessary (e.g. water quality), seek to collect and analyse such data via participatory and partnership approaches. All resulting data and information must be in the public domain. Disseminate information on a regular basis to local residents, schools, 2013 and ongoing visitors, decision-makers and the general public.

12 2.2 Fire

Fire is not a significant part of the Namib-Naukluft ecological dynamics, and is not addressed in the management plan.

2.3 Rehabilitation

Principle Natural landscapes and biodiversity are, as far as possible and practical, reestablished to their pristine condition or in line with agreed future land use.

Objective To remove all unnecessary evidence of human occupation from the Park, except agreed infrastructure e.g. Topnaar settlements, and impacts in designated sites such as approved “sacrifice areas”, and to rehabilitate landscapes and biodiversity, using best available practices, with emphasis on those areas of greatest ecological and aesthetic importance.

Strategies a) Commission a rehabilitation plan based on an inventory and criteria (log of areas, prioritization, costs and timelines) for the NNP. b) Identify responsibilities for rehabilitation – both technical and financial responsibilities. c) MET and other relevant parties, including designated organizations entrusted or employed to do this work, to systematically implement rehabilitation in areas and on aspects of respective responsibilities, to agreed standards and levels, starting with the affordable priorities.

Activities Actions Timing Commission a rehabilitation plan 2014 Identify responsibilities for rehabilitation 2014 Implement rehabilitation in areas and on aspects of respective 2013 and ongoing responsibilities, starting with the affordable priorities and using job-creating opportunities where possible.

2.4 Wildlife population management

Principle A rich diversity of indigenous wildlife prospers within an open, dynamic and resilient ecosystem.

Objective Wildlife population numbers will be managed, mainly through self-regulation, at levels where

13 biomass carrying capacity is considered conservatively appropriate and sustainable, per species and for the total wildlife population, under different rainfall and range conditions. Mass mortalities during droughts will be avoided – mainly by working to establish open systems, particularly west- east. Population fluctuations due to good breeding and slow attrition during wet and dry cycles, and from predation, will not be cause for concern.

Trophy hunting, under carefully controlled conditions, based on population census data and very conservative quotas will be permitted only in a selected area of the Naukluft mountains and for approved ungulate species that are not considered to be threatened. Live capture for conservation purposes such as population reduction and special reintroduction elsewhere will be permitted.

Strategies a) Population trends, health (age and sex structures and body condition) and distribution of populations will be monitored as necessary, as part of the coastal parks’ monitoring process. b) Wildlife management decisions will be taken in an adaptive manner, with a minimalist intervention philosophy, and based on good monitoring and research information, as may be decided from time to time.

Activities Actions Timing Design and implement integrated monitoring systems for rainfall, Design during 2014, vegetation condition (particularly in vicinity of artificial water points) implementation and wildlife (numbers, age & sex classes and condition), making use of thereafter and the “Event Book” system ongoing Obtain and document historic information on wildlife diversity, numbers, extinctions and other relevant issue. Proactively review information on key variables to determine if any 2014 management actions are necessary, and identify management options Adaptively manage wildlife using a minimalist intervention approach Systems set up and and most relevant practices tested starting 2014 and then ongoing as necessary

2.5 Wildlife introductions

Principle The historic diversity of wildlife and their full suite of interactions are reinstated, as far as is practically possible under prevailing conditions.

Objective To re-introduce and/or augment as appropriate species that were locally indigenous within historic times provided these have a reasonable chance of survival under current conditions and are practically and socially acceptable.

14 Strategies a) Carry out an assessment of species that historically occurred in the NNP. b) Review which species that no longer occur, or occur at below optimal numbers, could be re-introduced under current conditions, and prepare a prioritized list. c) Be mindful that the NNP is on the extreme western edge of a number of species’ ranges. In higher rainfall years such species may/would have moved westwards into the NNP, and in lower rainfall years they would have retreated eastwards into the escarpment. Once large, open areas have been secured, reintroductions into the greater area may be viable, but which would not be so if confined to the NNP. Thus take a larger picture view of wildlife reintroductions, and be mindful of the linear oases provided by the Swakop and Kuiseb Rivers crossing the Namib Desert. d) Introduce wildlife in phases as per the list, and subject to rainfall and veld condition being adequate to enhance survival chances. e) Acquire wildlife from similar habitats (e.g. Namib and Karoo Transition ecosystem) for genetic integrity and optimal chances of success. f) Introduce wildlife in sufficient numbers to be viable, rather than having small token introductions. g) Where species are likely to recolonise or to augment existing populations by in-migration, allow this to happen rather than active reintroduction. h) No species exotic to the NNP will be introduced. i) No subspecies or components of populations from elsewhere will be introduced if there is any risk of genetic pollution to the indigenous populations’ genetic integrity, and where suitable animals can be acquired from within the required gene pool. j) In the case of introductions that have a potential impact on residents and communities within and adjacent to the NNP, full consultations will take place prior to any introductions.

Activities Actions Timing Carry out an assessment of historic distributions of wildlife in the NNP 2015 and adjacent areas of the Coastal Parks. Based on the above and present-day viability and acceptability, 2015 and ongoing develop and implement a phased reintroduction and augmentation plan (e.g. giraffe in the Kuiseb River, red hartebeest in the Naukluft). Monitor introduced and augmented populations – numbers, breeding, From each introduction sex and age ratios, distribution, etc. and ongoing

2.6 Water points and water management

Principle A minimalist, ecologically appropriate and tourism friendly water plan is implemented, taking into account neighbouring land use and water provision.

Objective The provision of water for wildlife will be undertaken strategically in the interests of maintaining

15 biological diversity in a fenced ecosystem. Emphasis will be placed on securing open systems and corridors in west-east and north-south directions, to facilitate natural ecological processes and reinstating historic movement patterns. Water use for other purposes will be judicious, minimalist and based on environmental assessment principles.

Strategies a) Water point development and management will be on a strategic basis – the default setting is a minimalist provision of water. b) In a critical situation, e.g. wildlife building up along fenced eastern boundary in times of extreme drought, then temporary water provision may be availed if considered absolutely necessary. c) All natural water points will be carefully managed to avoid disturbance and degradation, and an appropriate monitoring system will be established. d) Abstraction of groundwater from the NNP, and in adjacent areas, will be carefully monitored, both the volumes abstracted and impacts on the environment, and adaptively managed. e) Use of water for tourism, mining and other purposes must be judicious, minimalist, demand managed and monitored. Sustainable sources of water must be used. No unsustainable extraction will take place or any extraction that may have negative biodiversity impacts.

Activities Actions Timing Create a map and inventory of all natural water points as well as boreholes 2014 & infrastructure, together with their attributes, such as yield, depth and water quality Ensure that all natural water points remain undisturbed, with low level Ongoing monitoring All bulk water abstraction projects must be preceded by an EIA. The default Ongoing setting is no bulk water abstraction should be allowed in the NNP. Good water demand management practices and monitoring should be Ongoing implemented for water use in the NNP and throughout the Coastal Parks.

16 2.7 Domestic animal management

Principle No domestic pets are allowed in the Park. Livestock such as donkeys, goats and cattle belonging to Topnaars residents in the Park are allowed to be kept provided that they personally belong to people who are resident in the Park, and their numbers are kept within the carrying capacity of the area. Livestock are not allowed in signposted exclusion areas.

MET accepts that keeping livestock is part of the natural tradition and livelihood of Topnaar people along the Kuiseb river bed. Livestock are therefore allowed to be kept, as long as they do not cause long-term deterioration of the vegetation.

Objective To ensure that no domestic animals are allowed inside Namib Naukluft Park unless with permit

Strategies a) Water provision for livestock should only be allowed at places where Topnaar residents live, to keep these animals relatively close to their owners. b) Total numbers of animals should not exceed the carrying capacity of the area and time ofyear. c) Animals that become feral or that are unattended by Topnaar residents should be removed from the Park.

Activities Actions Timing Park staff, during the course of their patrols, should be alert for livestock Ongoing that are not under appropriate control. If problem animals are encountered, the officials should ensure that the animals are removed. Carrying capacity of the area, with particular reference to Large and Small Annual survey Stock Units (LSUs and SSUs), should be determined for the lower Kuiseb area, and revised on an annual basis.

2.8 Fencing

Principle Open systems should be maintained for the largest possible landscape integrity, both within and beyond the NNP and the Coastal Parks.

All internal fences except those that have strategic value (e.g. security fencing around lichen fields or refuse dumps, etc) are removed.

17 Where neighboring land use and/or security is a threat to the park’s integrity, or where secure fencing is essential for good neighbourliness (e.g. to protect neighbouring small stock farmers from predators), boundary fences will be secured and well maintained.

Objective To maintain open systems for the largest possible landscape conservation and integrity and to allow free migration and seasonal dispersal in the area.

Strategies a) Maintain and secure fencing (cable fence) around key lichen fields and other approved sites. b) Boundary fences, where security is of concern or/and where neighbours practice incompatible land uses, should be strengthened, monitored and maintained.

Activities Actions Timing Maintain and establish cable fencing around all key lichen fields and Ongoing other approved sites. Patrol and maintain fences as appropriate 2013 and ongoing

18 2.9 Human wildlife conflict management

Principle The NNP harbours a few species (leopard, cheetah, rhino) that may damage property and threaten the safety of livestock and people living in neighbouring areas. Individual animals that cause conflict must be dealt with according to the National Policy on Human Wildlife Conflict Management and agreements with the respective neighbours .

MET recognize their obligation to assist neighbouring communities in addressing human-wildlife conflict (HWC) which results from wildlife leaving the park. This is done through providing advice and technical support in applying mitigation measures, and supporting implementation of local HWC management plans.

Objective To actively engage with neighbours and residents to ensure that there are effective and responsive mechanisms in place to minimize conflicts.

Strategies a) MET should give preference to NNP neighbouring and resident communities when allocating concessions, to help offset livestock losses as a result of HWC and to promote positive relationships with park neighbours. b) NNP and other MET staff should assist neighbouring and resident communities to engage in land uses that avoid and help to reduce HWC. This extends to technical advice and support (e.g. applied livestock management, sitting and operation of electric fences etc) c) Decision-making authority should be delegated to appropriate NNP staff so that individual problem causing animals can be speedily removed, providing protection to people and their property. Procedures for arriving at this decision must include sufficient safeguards so that specific animals are destroyed for good reason. d) NNP staff should fulfill monitoring and reporting requirements for MET’s database on HWC, including effectiveness of mitigation methods. e) NNP and other MET staff should help to build capacity of neighbouring and resident communities to develop HWC management and mitigation plans and to implement appropriate mitigation methods.

Activities Actions Timing Consider NNP neighbouring and resident communities when 2013 and ongoing allocating concessions in the park Collaborate with neighbouring and resident communities to engage 2013 and ongoing in appropriate land uses and apply appropriate farming practices to minimize HWC

19 Ensure lines of authority clearly outlined for speedy resolution of 2013 and ongoing HWC problems, particularly if an animal needs to be destroyed / removed. Keep an inventory of HWC cases that is consistent with MET practices 2013 and ongoing and feeds into the MET HWC database. Participate in activities to build the local Human Wildlife Self Reliance 2013 and ongoing Scheme.

2.10 Diseases and parasites

Principle Wildlife in the NNP should not pose any risk of diseases (e.g. rabies) to humans. Also, animals living in the Park and belonging to Topnaar residents should not pose any risk of communicable or contagious diseases to wildlife in the Park.

MET staff work with other government or private agencies to manage and control any communicable, notifiable or contagious diseases (of humans, livestock and wildlife) that occur in the Park.

Objective To ensure collaboration with other relevant public service agencies in finding solutions to the management and control of notifiable and contagious human, livestock and wildlife diseases.

Strategies a) Establish a monitoring system, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Services (for humans) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (for livestock) that keeps an eye on diseases and parasites in the Park. For instance, rabies is legally notifiable, so incidents of this disease in jackals should be communicated to Veterinary Services staff and reported in their official records. The monitoring system should ensure lines of communication between relevant ministries are kept open.

Activities Actions Timing MET staff to report incidents of diseases noted in livestock and 2013 and ongoing pets in the Park. Liaise with health and veterinary health departments to link in to 2013 and ongoing their monitoring and reporting procedures.

20 2.11 Alien species

Principle The NNP should be free of all invasive alien plants and animals, with the exception of the Desert Wild Horses in the Garub area.

No feral populations of alien plants and animals will be permitted within the NNP, with the exception of the Wild Horses which will be confined to the Garub area and treated as part of the history of the region. Domestic species will not be permitted in the NNP except under concession (e.g. horse trails), and then only where they pose no threat of invasion, are under the full control of designated owners or are an integral part of the operation of the park, and where they pose no threat to the conservation of indigenous species and the integrity of the park.

Objective To ensure that alien species are controlled or removed in the park.

Strategies a) Establish a monitoring system for alien species, with particular attention to high risk species and areas such as along rivers and drainage lines, roadways, mining areas, water points, etc. b) Support and participate in national policies and action plans for strategic management of alien invasive plants, since alien invasive plant problems originate mostly outside of the Park. c) Manage feral populations of plants and animals as appropriate and practical including eradication where feasible. d) Establish community interest groups of local residents to help eradicate and monitor alien species, particularly where infestations occur from outside the NNP, e.g. along drainage lines entering the park. e) Monitor infestations/spread of the alien invasive mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and initiate remedial action if appropriate and practical.

Activities Actions Timing Manage and where practical eradicate invasive alien species throughout 2013 and ongoing the NNP Work with neighbours to eradicate alien plants from drainage lines 2013 and ongoing entering the NNP Follow up on cleared areas and remove re-growth/new seedlings 2013 and ongoing Establish community interest groups of local residents to help address 2013 and ongoing the invasive alien problem

21 2.12 Law enforcement and wildlife crime prevention

Principle A zero tolerance approach will be followed against all illegal activities within and adjacent to the NNP. A partnership of collaboration will be established with all relevant stakeholders, under MET/ MFMR leadership, to secure adherence to law and order in and around the NNP.

Objective To control and limit the illegal use of wildlife and natural resources within the park and, through all efforts possible, to ensure the safety and security of tourists and visitors to the park.

Strategies a) Develop a practical, harmonized approach to the implementation of law enforcement within the context of this PMP, Park legislation and regulations, by establishing strong partnerships between MET and MFMR, with the Namibian Police and by establishing a team of Honorary Nature Conservators. b) Plan, develop and implement, in partnership with other stakeholders in law enforcement an efficient and effective tourism management and access control system. c) Ensure security and anti-poaching (including plant, reptile and other natural resource collection/theft) patrols and surveillance are conducted at regular but unpredictable intervals, particularly in high-risk areas (e.g. along main access routes and around tourism and mining areas) and that they are highly visible. d) Develop an attractive reward system for law enforcement and wildlife crime prevention. e) Establish a “Hot-Line” for people to report transgressors, and an efficient response mechanism. f) Ensure that the Honorary Nature Conservators’ roles and responsibilities are well publicized and known throughout the area, to both residents and visitors. g) Ensure that MET, MFMR and Honorary Nature Conservators are well trained to preserve and collect evidence so that arrests result in convictions.

Activities Actions Timing Plan a practical system for implementing law enforcement in the 2014 context of this PMP & relevant legislation Develop (with partners) an effective tourism management and access 2013 and ongoing control system, with particular attention to the holiday seasons Disseminate information on zero tolerance approach & reward 2013 and ongoing scheme Carry out regular patrols (ground and air) to ensure high presence 2013 and ongoing level Train staff in collection of evidence 2015 and ongoing Establish a Hot-Line for reporting of transgressors 2013

22 2.13 Environmental impact assessment and management

Principle Developments within NNP that have an impact on the Park should be properly assessed so that environmental harm is minimized and benefits are optimized.

Developments within NNP that have an impact on the Park are subjected to thorough and transparent EIAs in accordance with the Environmental Management Act (EMA). The EIAs receive critical and helpful input from local MET staff. Environmental Management Plans, which are practical and appropriate to the development, are properly implemented and monitored.

Objective To prevent and mitigate negative effects and enhance positive effects of conservation management and tourism activities on the environment, by conducting a due environmental impact assessment and management process.

Strategies a) MET staff in NNP should be familiar with the Environmental Management Act and their role in enforcing it. They are important for ensuring that proposed developments in or close to the Park comply with the EMA. b) DEA to alert MET staff on the ground about proposed developments in or close to the Park, and encourage them to make critical input to the EIA. Similarly, MET staff on the ground who observe activities which might require an EIA (such as mining exploration), can alert DEA about them. c) EIA reports and applications for Environmental Clearance under the EMA, that affect the NNP, should be circulated to local MET staff for their input. Park staff should carefully consider any conditions included in the Environmental Clearance. d) NNP staff should keep familiar with developments in and close to the Park.

Activities Actions Timing NNP staff kept familiar with developments around uranium mining in 2013 and ongoing the Park through official visits to the Uranium Institute. Give EIA training to park staff so that they know what role they should 2014 and ongoing play in ensuring proper compliance with the EMA. Ensure that the NNP management structure functions properly. This 2014 and ongoing will create a conducive atmosphere for EIAs fulfilling their full potential.

2.14 Consumptive resource utilization

Principle Regarding plant resources: The lower reaches of the Kuiseb River in the NNP are the home of Topnaar people, who traditionally use local resources such as !nara plants and local firewood for

23 their livelihood. Use of these resources should be allowed only through a permit system which has input from the Topnaar Traditional Authority, and as long as traditional harvesting methods are used.

Regarding wildlife resources: Wildlife may be harvested or culled or translocated as long as there is adequate proof from ongoing monitoring that the population can withstand the intended offtake, and that there is full justification for one of the following reasons:

• removal of individuals causing conflict with people; • provision of meat for traditional festivals or national events, in keeping with sustainable offtake levels and never for personal gain by individuals. This must also be in line with the National Policy on Utilization of Game in Protected Areas and Other State Land; • for community benefit in collaboration with neighbouring conservancies and in keeping with sustainable offtake levels.

Natural plant products in NNP (predominantly !naras and firewood) that are part of the traditional and cultural heritage of Topnaar people, are harvested sustainably for the benefit of local rural communities. Over-exploitation of the products is prevented by imposing the condition that harvesting methods must be traditional. These restrictions help to prevent wastage and excessive harvesting by any one individual.

Objective To ensure that plant and wildlife resources in the NNP are harvested for social and economic gain, at offtake levels that are sustainable.

Strategies a) MET staff should liaise closely with the Topnaar Traditional Authority with regard to !nara harvesting activities. Harvesting should only be allowed with a permit, issued by MET staff in the Park, Walvis Bay or Swakopmund. b) Permits to harvest !nara fruit and firewood in NNP should be issued on application for a year at a time, to Topnaar families resident in the Park. Permit conditions should clearly state that only traditional methods may be used i.e. pick only fruits that are adequately ripe, and use only donkey carts to transport the fruits out of the !nara fields. No-one will be permitted to load up bakkies with !nara fruits or firewood. c) Compliance with these regulations should be monitored by the MET. d) Wildlife populations and movements should be monitored and recorded so that sustainable offtake quotas can be calculated. e) Hunting for festivals or other important functions should be carried out in accordance with the National Policy on Utilization of Game in Protected Areas and other State Land and the park zonation plan. f) Depending on the offtake level calculated from ongoing population monitoring records, the NNP could be used as a source of live animals (e.g. mountain zebra) for introduction to other areas. g) Consumptive use of wildlife goods must comply with existing national and international legal frameworks and conventions, such as CITES.

24 2.15 Aquaculture

No aquaculture will be permitted in the NNP.

2.16 Archaeological and historical heritage

Principle The very rich archaeological and historical heritage of the central and coastal Namib, which presents valuable information about occupation of this area going back 700,000 years, has unique value and should be properly preserved.

Objectives • To ensure that cultural, historical and archaeological sites are identified, conserved and where appropriate, sensitively used, to improve society’s understanding and knowledge of the people who used the area in the past. • To prevent negative impacts on archaeological and historic sites that might be incurred by tourism, mining, infrastructure development, or other activities.

Strategies a) All sites used and proposed for development must address cultural, historical and archaeological aspects in their EIAs and EMPs; b) Where appropriate, sites may be made accessible to the public, but this must be done in a sensitive and responsible manner. Sites that add to the tourism experience should be interpreted for the public’s benefit. Activities to monitor the state of these sites should be included so that preventative action can be taken if they become degraded. c) Collaboration with other agencies and ministries (e.g. universities, Gobabeb Research and Training Centre, National Heritage Council, UNESCO) should be initiated and maintained for appropriate management of these resources. Where necessary, technical and financial assistance should be sought.

Activities Actions Timing Ensure EIAs done for development projects in the NNP address risks to Ongoing the archaeological and historic heritage. Where impacts are unavoidable, ensure that adequate mitigation, restoration or offsetting is achieved. As stipulated in the Environmental Management Act, this should be at the cost of the developer. In collaboration with the National Heritage Council and local or interested 2014 and archaeologists, develop and maintain a register of all known sites of ongoing archaeological and historic interest. Keep familiar with and if possible, participate in archaeological and historical 2014 and research projects undertaken in NNP. Ensure that data and materials are ongoing securely deposited with the National Museum for safekeeping.

25 In collaboration with the National Heritage Council and other possible 2015 and stakeholders, develop archaeological and historic sites (only those that can ongoing tolerate human pressure) for well managed tourism access. Include sites of archaeological or historic interest in the regular patrols and 2014 and Event Book management systems, for regular inspection and monitoring. ongoing

2.17 Research

Principle Management and development of the NNP should be information-based, drawing on good quality research and monitoring. To ensure that good data are available, the Park should implement a research-friendly and supportive philosophy and encourage the non-invasive use of the park as an open air laboratory. The Gobabeb Training and Research Centre will be the scientific service centre for the park.

Park management will be based on good scientific information. Gobabeb will be supported to become the research headquarters for the Park, and to become a research hub for MET and partner research on desert systems of Namibia. A supportive environment will be created for visiting scientists, including the facilitation of research permits. Two levels of research are recognized:

(a) Applied research in support of priority park information and management needs, and (b) Basic or interest research identified by outside researchers.

Preferential support will be given to the former, while the latter will be supported when feasible. All forms of research are encouraged, including biological, hydrological, geological, paleontological, archaeological, historical, climatological, social, economic, etc.

Objective To base park management on pertinent available information and data to support an adaptive management approach, and to create a research friendly environment, encouraging non-invasive research within the park.

Strategies a) A prioritised and open-ended list of key research topics should be developed for the Park and disseminated to appropriate research institutions. b) An appropriate support mechanism should be developed for visiting scientists, making use of Gobabeb where appropriate, with emphasis on those addressing priority research topics relevant to the park. c) Appropriate mechanisms should be developed to ensure that optimum feed-back and other values from national and visiting researchers are obtained. d) Links should be established with research activities carried out in other parks, particularly in arid regions, as well as with other relevant research organisations and field stations in Namibia, and comparative studies between the different desert ecosystems should be encouraged, including transboundary work with other components of the Nama

26 and Succulent Karoo, Kalahari and Namib Ecosystems, in adjacent countries. e) Ensure that Gobabeb is integrated into the Park Information System and meta database and that results from research are added to this System.

Activities Actions Timing Develop an open-ended list of priority research topics based on 2014 and ongoing information needs for NNP management, facilitated by Gobabeb. Design a reciprocal “support package” for researchers addressing priority 2014 and ongoing research topics and ensuring maximum returns to the NNP, the Coastal Parks and Namibia, facilitated by Gobabeb Participate actively in comparative research programmes across the arid 2015 and ongoing zones and between the various desert ecosystems Ensure research outputs and findings are integrated with monitoring 2015 data in the Park Information System.

2.18 Monitoring and Information Management

Principle Carefully selected indicators and groups of indicators are monitored to allow for timely and judicious assessments and adaptive management.

Participatory monitoring will be encouraged and, where appropriate, monitoring shall be outsourced to special interest groups and specialist stakeholders.

Information and data resulting from monitoring activities will be recorded, stored and curated as time-series and geo-referenced data sets within a Coastal Parks Information System.

The information produced from the monitoring systems will be in the public domain and will feed into adaptive management decision-making.

Objective To ensure that minimal but regular monitoring of climate, key habitats and biodiversity, land use impacts, water quality, park management performance and other key indicators will be conducted and promoted to help understand ecological changes, stresses and management effectiveness.

Strategies a) Monitoring will focus on key indicator processes, impacts, habitats and species, with an emphasis on ensuring regular data collection at appropriate intervals, cost efficiency and sustainability. b) Monitoring will also assess the effectiveness of management of the NNP, applying best practice tools such as “Namibia’s Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool” (NAMETT). c) Monitoring systems shall apply approved tools already being widely used (e.g. Event Book

27 system), and shall also continue with systems already established and running within the NNP, (e.g. Ramsar wetland bird counts, Damara Tern monitoring). d) Monitoring systems will be balanced to ensure that the entire range of critical information needs is covered. e) A Coastal Parks Information System will be established to store, manage and help analyse spatial and temporal data sets as well as other pertinent information. f) Information will be made widely and freely available, in accessible format, to all stakeholders, including via the media.

Activities Actions Timing Develop an appropriate monitoring framework to include the monitoring 2014 onwards requirements of the NNP, and incorporate ongoing monitoring initiatives (e.g. wetland counts, Damara Tern monitoring), and where appropriate, adapt other national systems such as the “Event-Book”, with appropriate training for staff and other implementing partners Develop an accessible and user-friendly Coastal Parks Information System 2015 and ongoing and meta database (for spatial & temporal data and other info), that can be easily expanded and up-scaled to serve larger co-managed landscape complexes, to: • store, manage, curate data/info 2015 onwards • retrieve, interrogate, analyse and aggregate data/info • generate reports based on carefully designed templates for key information needs Establish fixed photo-point and aerial photography monitoring of key Ongoing aspects (e.g. ephemeral river for impact of water abstraction, tracks, mining footprint, etc), and repeat photographs at regular intervals (every 6 or 12 months) Make time-series data and analysed information available for adaptive Ongoing management, and for distribution to interested stakeholders, decision- makers and the general public Use above data and information to prepare an annual State of the Coastal 2016 onwards Parks Report. Establish computer-based analyses and map/figure protocols to automate this process as far as possible, with minimal explanatory text.

2.19 Coastal management

Principle The intertidal coastal zone, its biota and the species that transcend the marine/terrestrial interface should be managed jointly by the MET and MFMR under agreed collaborative management principles and protocols that promote synergy, efficiency and elevated conservation management, monitoring and protection of habitats, processes and species.

28 The intertidal collaborative management approach is a model of collaboration with clear benefits to the ecosystem and responsible institutions, such that the approach is expanded to the entire Namibian coast.

Objective To ensure that management of the coastal environment for the Namib Naukluft Park is done properly.

Strategies a) A close and mutually supportive working environment will be created between the Park MET and MFMR institutions and their respective staff. To this end, a Park MET-MFMR Management Committee will be established. b) The above Committee will identify the key areas, issues and species that require joint monitoring and management. c) The above Committee will establish operational principles, procedures and protocols for monitoring, managing and reporting on the areas and biota of mutual interest, as well as means of collaboration, communication and mutual support.

Activities Actions Timing Establish a MET/MFMR Management Committee 2014 Establish practical and efficient operating procedures for 2014 collaboration, communication and reporting for identified priority areas and species. Explore ways of expanding collaboration where this would be 2013 and ongoing beneficial to the ecosystem and to the partner institutions.

Chapter 3

Regional conservation, park neighbour and resident relations 3.1 Transfrontier conservation

While the Coastal Parks share boundaries with the Iona National Park in Angola and the Richtersveld National Park in South Africa, the Namib Naukluft Park has no direct part in transfrontier conservation activities with these parks but could play a role in linking the Coastal Parks to Angola and South Africa.

3.2 Landscape level management

Principle Open, contiguous and ecologically optimal landscapes and seascapes and their interface should be maintained and managed to ensure seamless linkages between the central Namib and adjacent terrestrial and coastal ecosystems.

Objective To maintain and, where relevant, expand the area under conservation management, and manage for larger landscape values, through partnership, with particular emphasis on: (i) east-west and north-south linkages between the terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems, in partnership with the MFMR and neighbouring land-holders; (ii) linkages with neighbouring Protected Areas of the Coastal Parks.

Strategies a) Work with MFMR to identify coastal and marine protected area collaboration adjacent to the NNP and to strengthen collaborative management mechanisms and partnerships. b) Establish collaboration and cooperation procedures and practices with other management units.

Activities Actions Timing Establish an effective collaborative framework between MET and MFMR 2014 and ongoing to plan and harmonise terrestrial and coastal/marine protected areas and their rational and efficient management, including a focus on collaboration and co-management Establish a planning, management and monitoring framework for 2013 and ongoing collaboration, cooperation, mutual support and harmonization with other management units in the Coastal Parks and neighbouring areas.

31 Pro-actively engage with neighbouring land-owners to promote landscape 2013 and ongoing conservation.

3.3 Park neighbours and resident communities

Principle The NNP should be managed and developed through positive and constructive relationships with its neighbouring and resident communities.

Objective To include park residents and neighbours and adjacent land owners in collaborative management of the overall area, for the long term benefit of both NNP and the conservancies that adjoin it, in terms of conservation outcomes and the livelihoods of community members.

Strategies a) Establish positive, constructive relationships with park stakeholders in line with the National Policy on Protected Areas, Neighbours and Resident Communities. b) Include representatives (e.g.Traditional Authorities and conservancies) from neighbouring and resident communities and conservancies in the consultative initiatives and landscape conservation. c) Draw members from the neighbouring communities into the Honorary Nature Conservators system, to work with MET and MFMR to help implement this PMP. d) Facilitate park-to-neighbour liaison, with particular focus on establishing linkages between the Namib and the escarpment, to reinstate wildlife movement patterns and to help counter the potential impacts of climate change.

Activities Actions Timing Where relevant, draw neighbours into planning for a Greater Namib-Coastal 2014 Parks Complex with links to and beyond the escarpment. Create an inclusive, participatory management approach where all interested Ongoing stakeholders can contribute ideas, energy and time; foster a spirit of volunteerism; and keep everyone well informed of activities and progress in the NNP

3.4 Private partnerships

Principle The “world class Protected Desert Landscape and Tourism destination” vision for the NNP, under the brand “Desert Discovery”, is planned, managed, implemented, developed and monitored using a collective partnership-management approach that fully involves civil society, business and relevant government agencies.

32 Objective To develop collaborative management mechanisms that fully integrate MET and MFMR, the relevant business sector, civil society (including environmental NGOs and communities), into all aspects of the management and development of the NNP in full collaboration and “smart partnerships”, and with the respective partners being empowered to contribute to their full competitive competencies.

Strategy a) Establish procedures for planning, managing, developing and monitoring the NNP with adjacent Protected Areas, and with the coastal and marine ecosystem. b) Together with the other Coastal Parks, engage pro-actively with willing neighbours, to explore the establishment of a management and development approach for the “Greater Namib Complex” to enhance the development of a shared vision, common objectives and agreed principles, and promote a common management approach, as well as to facilitate park-to-neighbour liaison, with particular focus on establishing linkages between the Namib and the escarpment, to reinstate wildlife movement patterns and to help counter the potential impacts of climate change. c) Work closely with Regional Government, municipalities, organized business and interest groups, communities, NGOs and the media to keep people informed of developments, to invite their input and participation in these and future evolving initiatives.

Activities Actions Timing Establish close and collaborative working relations and clear procedures for 2014 collaboration between adjacent Protected Areas Establish close and collaborative working relations and clear procedures for 2014 collaboration between MET and partners on the terrestrial landscapes with MFMR in the coastal and marine ecosystems Where relevant, participate in the development of a Greater Namib Complex 2015 with park neighbours and residents Create an inclusive, participatory environment within the NNP where all Ongoing interested stakeholders can contribute ideas, energy and time; foster a spirit of volunteerism; and keep everyone well informed of activities and progress.

33 3.5 Environmental education and awareness

Principle The Namib, escarpment and adjacent coastal ecosystems offer unique open-air classroom and laboratory opportunities for education and awareness creation on the subjects of geology, geomorphology, climatology, hydrology, zoology, botany, arid-zone ecology, wetland biology, adaptive evolution, paleontology, archaeology, conservation, sustainable development and many other fields. The NNP contains dune fields, gravel plains, ephemeral rivers, sandy and rocky shores, wetlands of international importance, inselbergs and mountain ranges, a host of arid-adapted plant and animal life plus human-ecosystem interactions. The area thus has huge educational and awareness-raising potential, which should be exploited in the interests of ensuring that visitors and staff are well informed and enriched by associating with the NNP.

Objective To develop good quality, accessible and stimulating information and activities on the key biophysical and socio-archaeological aspects of the different habitats within the Namib, escarpment and coastal ecosystems that are represented within the NNP, and to share this information with guests, visitors, youth groups, specialist groups, decision-makers, officials and the general public in interesting and exciting ways so as to promote an understanding of and commitment to the conservation and sustainable development of the Namib Desert and coastal areas of Namibia. Participatory and collaborative mechanisms will be used, harnessing the strengths of different government agencies, NGOs and special interest groups, the business community and the Gobabeb Training and Research Centre.

Strategy a) Establish an Information Centre in the NNP. b) Prepare good quality information in different forms (posters, brochures, reports, maps, newsletters, displays, booklets, DVDs, website, etc.) that is made available to visitors, staff and the general public. c) Ensure that research carried out in the NNP and other parts of the Coastal Parks is translated into accessible information for the lay person. d) Engage local communities, schools, youth groups and decision-makers in ongoing activities, e.g. bird counts and other monitoring, and organize field excursions into key areas of the NNP, including visits to the Gobabeb Centre. e) Promote the concept of “sustainable lifestyles” with special attention to contextualizing the concept for desert environments. f) Ensure that tour guides are well trained at national and local levels, and that they create exceptional field experiences for tourists by sharing their knowledge in interesting and stimulating ways.

34 Activities Actions Timing Establish an Information Centre for the Park. 2016 Compile good quality information on different aspects of the 2015 geology, ecology, archaeology, etc. of the NNP and from this, prepare materials for the dissemination of key information, e.g. Damara Terns, Important Bird Areas, Ramsar wetlands, lichens, etc. Produce small information boards for strategic placement at key sites 2015 and ongoing

Produce maps and special information sheets on aspects such as off- 2015 road driving, areas open to quad bikes and expected etiquette, duties and responsibilities of Honorary Wardens, info on the Environmental Hot-Line, etc.

35 Chapter 4

Zonation

Principle The matrix of landscapes and habitats within the NNP should be optimally managed and sustainably used, based on their sensitivity, conservation importance and business opportunity, in that order. This will be achieved by means of a Zonation Plan. The plan should remain dynamic and responsive to the potential for future opportunities, partnerships, linkages and corridors, and to developing the economic potential of the greater area within the context of biodiversity and landscape conservation, and sustainable development.

Objective To zone the NNP for enhanced conservation management and appropriate utilization, to minimize potential conflicts between activities and to facilitate potential “bigger picture” conservation and development goals for the area.

Zones Zonation is based on best available information on environmental sensitivity, biodiversity status and conservation priorities. Around this are built the management and tourism activities and opportunities, and infrastructure development.

Environmental sensitivity The areas of conservation priority and environmental sensitivity in the NNP are shown in Figure 2, based on their IUCN zonation categories (Table 2). The key areas are: • The Tsondabvlei and river system • The Kuiseb river and valley system • The Sossusvlei and Tsauchab river • The Koichab Pan and river • The coastal salt pans and salt flats, which are also Damara Tern breeding sites. All Damara Tern sites (which may change over time) become automatically sites of conservation priority with appropriate management responses • Coastal bluffs, headlands and bays • All inselbergs, with particular importance given to those with especially high biodiversity values such as Dikwillem in the south-east • Mountain ranges on the eastern border of the NNP • Gravel plains • The Naukluft, with its associated incised river courses and wetlands.

To establish an institutional support framework for the implementation of CBNRM. • To create long term sustainability strategies for CBNRM in Namibia. • To ensure the long term political willingness for CBNRM within all sectors. • To ensure that Community Based Organizations balance operating costs with the development needs and return of benefits to members.

36 Figure 3: Zones in the Namib Naukluft Park.

The following zones have been identified, based upon environmental sensitivity and appropriate land uses (Figure 3), and following international guidelines for Protected Areas (IUCN 2012): • Highly sensitive areas (category 1a) • Wilderness areas (category 1b) • Areas of medium sensitivity (category 2) • Areas with outstanding features (category 3) • Areas with specific habitat or species sensitivity (category 4)

37 • Areas with general landscape or seascape value (category 5) • Areas for utilization of natural resources (category 6).

Zones Activities Specific application in the NNP Highly sensitive • Highly sensitive and high value Areas of high environmental value areas (1a) conservation / biodiversity areas and sensitivity: set aside for sensitive and low non-intrusive scientific study • Tsondabvlei and river system, and • No or minimal mechanized ac- adjacent dune and plain areas to the cess west • No permanent structures • No overnighting • Coastal salt pans / flats

• All Damara Tern breeding areas

• Inselbergs such as Dikwillem and Uri-Hauchab

Wilderness Areas • Sensitive ecosystems • Bushman Hills, Chowagasberg, (1b) • High value “sense of place” Awasibberge and Haiber Flats area • Low impact usage • No or minimal mechanization • Part of the Naukluft mountain • No permanent structures • Dikwillem area

• The entire coastal strip

Areas of medium • Managed for conservation and The whole NNP, but excluding the sensitivity controlled tourism demarcated municipal areas, is (2) • Mechanised access permitted proclaimed under this category. Overnighting only at designated The other categories are managed sites as land-use zones within the overall National Park. Areas with out- • Conservation of specific out- • Conception Bay to just south of standing features standing features, including • Meob Bay (3) Protected areas managed mainly for conservation through active management intervention • To deliver benefits to people within the scope of sustainable practices

38 Areas with specific • Protected areas managed • Part of the Naukluft (hunting area) habitat or species mainly for conservation through • Lower Kuiseb River, used by Top- sensitivity active management intervention naar community members and their (4) • To deliver benefits to people livestock (in Dorob NP) within the scope of sustainable practices

Areas with general • Relatively open access for pub- • Sossusvlei area, for high intensity landscape or sea- lic enjoyment tourism scape value • Generally higher intensity use (5) and lower regulatory areas • Add to welfare of local communities

Areas for utilization • Managed mainly for the sus- • Mining sites (following compulsory of natural resources tainable use of natural resources, EIA) – but only mining of strategic (6) e.g. fishing. minerals (no ‘hobby’, subsistence or • Managed to ensure long-term dimension stone mining) protection and maintenance of biological diversity while providing at same time a sustained flow of natural products and services to meet local and national development needs, e.g. mining

Activities Actions Timing Complete list of allowable activities per zone and review the zonation of 2014 the park accordingly Prepare poster for residents, visitors and officials on zonation and 2014 activities

39 Chapter 5

Prospecting and mining

Principle No prospecting and mining activities should take place for non-strategic minerals anywhere in the NNP. For strategic minerals, no mining should be permitted in areas of high sensitivity or conservation value (Categories 1a, 1b and 3). All prospecting and mining activities in other areas should be planned, managed and decommissioned using best available practice, taking into account long-term national benefits vis-à-vis benefits from other current and potential land- uses, and applying precautionary and polluter pays principles and due caution so as to minimize negative environmental impacts.

Objective To not allow any prospecting and mining activities anywhere in the NNP for non-strategic and low value minerals (e.g. dimension stone), and also to not allow prospecting and mining in areas zoned as categories 1a, 1b and 3 (having high sensitivity or conservation value). Further, to integrate high value, nationally strategic prospecting and mining activities in other parts of the Park into the land-use and management of the NNP in ways that minimize environmental and socio-economic impacts and that optimize biodiversity, ecosystem and landscape conservation. To restore areas damaged by past prospecting and mining to as near a natural state as can reasonably be expected, or as may be decided.

Strategies a) Key zones categorized for high conservation values (i.e. those falling into IUCN categories of 1a, 1b and 3) will be demarcated and closed to prospecting and mining. b) Prospecting and mining in other parts of the NNP will be for high value nationally important minerals only. No low value, non-strategic prospecting and mining will be permitted (e.g. dimension stone, semi-precious stone). c) The long-term national benefits from the use of the land for mining must clearly outweigh benefits from other appropriate forms of land use, such as recreation and sustainable tourism. The onus is on the proponent to demonstrate such national comparative benefits, taking into account ecosystem services and non-monetary benefits of peoples’ perceptions and how residents and visitors wish to use their countryside. d) Applying safeguards is a key strategy for avoiding and/or reducing impacts to acceptable levels. All prospecting and mining activities MUST be preceded by an Environmental Impact Assessment in accordance with the word and spirit of Namibia’s EA Policy (1995) and legislation (Environmental Management Act No. 7 of 2007, and Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act, 2003.). The logical consequence of the EIA is the compilation of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The EMP must define both outcomes and the methodology (in some detail) as to how the outcomes will be achieved. e) Every approved prospecting and/or mining company must provide the NNP staff with an environmental report every 6 months, showing its progress towards meeting agreed

40 upon safeguard targets. Once prospecting and/or mining has ceased, the impacts must be rehabilitated in accordance with the stipulations of the EMP. f) Communication with prospecting and mining companies is conducted on a regular basis to ensure that mutual expectations are clear and reinforced. Mining representatives will serve on the Consultative Forums, but it is still necessary for the Park staff to visit and talk to operators on the ground. Regular visits will not only facilitate dialogue, but they will also demonstrate MET’s “hands on” approach towards monitoring. Visits by MET staff must be fully facilitated by mining companies in a spirit of open-cards and transparent partnership. g) Monitor implementation of EMPs, paying special attention to the achievement of safeguard targets. A detailed inspection report must be completed after each visit to the prospect or mine by Park staff, with copies sent to MET Head Office, the mine/company inspected and the Mining Commissioner within MME. The report must include an “action” column, where it is clear what action needs to be undertaken by whom and by when, to remedy an environmental concern. As far as possible, the inspecting office should take photographs of key issues of concern. These should be digital since the camera will record date and time – both essential pieces of information. If possible, the inspecting officer must obtain the counter-signature of the prospector/miner who was present during the inspection. h) In the case of non-compliance, Park staff must immediately report the matter to the Chief Control Warden in order to enable “in house” remediation. If this fails, the matter must be reported to MET HQ for higher level attention. The Park should request external review/ inspection should they not have the technical capacity to assess the situation themselves. If possible (i.e. within the provisions of the law), the prospector/miner must be responsible for carrying all the costs of external consultants. Refer to the Environmental Management Act (No. 7 of 2007) for specific actions to be taken.

Activities Actions Timing Compile an inventory of all prospecting and mineral licenses in the 2015 NNP, noting type of license, its boundaries, conditions of approval, ownership, status and contact persons. Establish a library of all the relevant EIA reports, EMPs and Records of 2014 and ongoing Decision for each license. Develop a “prospecting and mining monitoring sheet” that enables 2014 easy field monitoring. Compile a “prospecting and mining inspection schedule” – say, twice 2014 annual visits. The schedule should be provided to each mineral license holder so that they know when to expect an inspection (this does not preclude unscheduled spot-checks).

41 Chapter 6

Tourism management and development

Principle Use of the NNP should be planned and implemented to retain a “Desert Discovery” atmosphere, safeguarding its wilderness and “sense of place” attributes, within a zonation and management framework that ensures that the character, beauty, diversity and integrity of the NNP is maintained, and that visitors have an exceptional experience.

Objective To provide for present and expanding high quality eco-friendly tourism opportunities through good planning, zonation, management and collaboration between the conservation and tourism sectors, to help raise awareness and educate visitors about the NNP, desert and coastal environments, and to promote investment opportunities for all Namibians, particularly those previously excluded from the tourism sector as envisaged in the MET’s Concessions policy and the Tourism Transformation Charter.

Strategies a) Develop a detailed “Tourism Plan” for the NNP that includes a feasibility assessment, sets carrying capacities, management actions and tourism impact monitoring within the context of the Park’s zonation plan. The plan should address the following components: • Take full cognizance of the environmental sensitivities and biodiversity values of the area and its zonation, and strive to enhance, but never diminish these. • Take full cognizance of the “Desert Discovery”, wilderness and “sense of place” attributes which the NNP has adopted. • Take full cognizance of the rights and livelihoods of local communities and neighbouring residents in the area. • Promote diversity of multiple market tourism, but with an emphasis on promoting low impact“Desert Discovery” tourism packages. • Provide affordable tourism access to the NNP, particularly for Namibians. • Make special provision for opportunities for community participation in the tourism development of the NNP. In this regard, the MET’s Concessions policy will apply. • Place special consideration on promoting broad-based Black Economic Empowerment and involvement in the tourism development of the NNP. . • Make provision (as incentives) for neighbours practicing compatible land uses to obtain concession into the park, thereby cementing commitments to co-management and open landscape approaches. • Develop an open air museum and Information Centre in Sesriem / Sossusvlei area. • Develop appropriate tourist maps of the Park and relevant information materials.

42 Activities Actions Timing Develop and implement a detailed Tourism Development Plan 2013 Upgrade the park entry system at Sesriem for easy entry to park in the mornings 2014

43 Chapter 7

Infrastructure

7.1 Access and roads

Principle A minimal, practical, ecologically and aesthetically appropriate road network should be maintained to help achieve the objectives of the NNP.

Close and rehabilitate obsolete roads. No new roads will be developed without strong rationale and EIA, and no off-road driving will occur except in areas clearly designated and zoned for this purpose, e.g. coastal and dune concessions.

Objective To rationalize and maintain a road network to serve the management (including monitoring and research) and tourism needs of the NNP.

Strategies a) A carefully selected network of roads will be maintained for the effective management of the park and approved tourism activities. b) Existing roads, tracks and borrow pits not forming part of the network will be closed and rehabilitated. c) Any new roads and associated infrastructures (e.g. borrow pits) will be subject to an EIA. d) Park officials will be vigilant in preventing off-road driving where it is not allowed, and will enforce the regulations that prohibit it.

Activities Actions Timing 1. Develop an accurate GIS-based map of current roads & tracks, 2015 and ongoing including making use of aerial photographs 2. Develop a road network plan showing roads and related infrastructure 2014 to be retained or decommissioned and rehabilitated 3. Close off unneeded roads 2014 4. Rehabilitate closed roads, tracks and old borrow pits 2014 and ongoing 5. Any new roads, borrow pits, etc to be subject to EIA Ongoing

44 7.2 Buildings

Principle Buildings are required to accommodate the needs of management staff and tourists, and as support infrastructure for management functions. All buildings in the Park should be simple, functional, and with minimal footprint and visual impact.

Objective To ensure that buildings are kept to a minimum, and are designed to be visually attractive, energy efficient and in keeping with the sense of place of the surrounding area. No buildings are constructed in conservation priority areas (Section 4.3) in the NNP.

Strategies a) Where buildings are required by non-MET authorities in the Park, they should be located as close to existing services and roads as possible. b) All structures (including non-permanent ones) must be designed and constructed to create minimal visual impacts. c) Planning for buildings should take into account the long-term management costs and servicing and maintenance responsibilities. d) Conservation staff should be concentrated near areas where management and control demands are highest, and ideally near to services. Non-essential staff should be accommodated near the periphery of the park. e) Structures containing fuel, gas and oil must meet national requirements and containment structures must be erected to minimize the effects of leaks and spillages. f) No billboards (that advertise products or services) will be allowed anywhere in the NNP.

Activities Actions Timing Develop a Master Plan for buildings in the Park 2014

7.3 Tourism infrastructure

Principle Tourism infrastructure and facilities should be established to promote the environmental and outdoor assets of the Park, without compromising alternative and future use of the resources.

Objective To ensure that tourism and recreation facilities in the Park are aligned with the area’s sense of place, sustainable use of the resources, and respect for the wishes of other visitors to the Park.

45 Strategies a) All structures (including non-permanent ones) must be designed and constructed to create least visual impacts. b) Apply Namibia’s Eco-Awards guidelines and criteria to the development and management of all tourism initiatives and developments.

Activities Actions Timing Develop a Master Plan for buildings in the Park 2014

7.4 Airstrips and aircraft

Principle Aerial tourism such as scenic flights over the dunes and along the coast, and fly-in transport to specific lodges, add value to NNP’s tourism products. These aspects should be promoted within a framework of Namibia’s civil aviation regulations, safety, sense of place and minimal disturbance to wildlife and people.

Objective To ensure that aerial tourism in fixed wing aircraft is promoted, and carried out responsibly so that negative impacts such as disturbance of birds (e.g. in coastal wetlands) does not occur. Hot-air ballooning is also permitted in the Park under strict regulations.

Strategies a) The ‘no-flying’ restriction below 1,000 m should remain applicable over the entire Park, with the exception of designated corridors for approved airstrips. b) Flights over Sandwich Harbour should be prohibited except for emergency or nature conservation purposes. c) Civil aviation representatives should be made aware of the Park’s flying restrictions and assist in apprehending and preventing non-compliance. d) No low-level flights should be permitted. MET/MFMR staff should be able to report flying contraventions to local Civil Aviation authorities for quickly apprehending the responsible pilots. e) Noise pollution to other Park users must be considered in any flying operations.

46 Activities Actions Timing Channels of communication should be improved so that low-level flights Ongoing and other contraventions can be reported to MET and Civil Aviation authorities by the public, Honorary Wardens and MET / MFMR staff. Repeat offenders should have their flying licence suspended.

7.5 Waste management and pollution

Principle The overall principle is that no pollution from wastes should occur in the NNP. Different types of waste should be treated as follows: • Biodegradable household waste should be dumped in a designated site and allowed to decompose without causing nuisance effects to people and wildlife. • Sewage from accommodation establishments should be properly treated in appropriate sewage facilities. • No non-biodegradable solid waste should be disposed of in the Park. • Domestic solid waste such as bottles, plastics, tins and paper should be transported out of the park to the nearest designated authorized landfills. • This also applies to hazardous wastes such as used oil, which should go to an authorized hazardous waste disposal site. • Emergency pollution events, such as marine oil spills, should receive a safe, timely, effective and coordinated response in coordination with the responsible government ministries and the Emergency Management Unit.

Objective To ensure that environmental pollution does not arise from poor waste management in the NNP. Littering and pollution from waste is discouraged by strategies, encouraging proper disposal and enforcing compliance with vigilance and strong penalties.

Strategies a) Pro-actively undertake routine clean-ups so that people in the park see clean, litter-free surroundings. b) All visitors and operators of whatever activities in the Park should practice the principle of ‘take in – take out,’ and the prohibition of littering should be strictly enforced by Park officials and Honorary Wardens. In particular, wastes from shore angling (e.g. offal, unused bait, bottles) should not be left on beaches. c) Beach patrols by MET and MFMR officials should strictly enforce the regulations on littering. d) Public toilet facilities at various sites such as at angling beaches should be kept in a sanitary condition so that people are not discouraged from using them by dirty facilities. ‘Bush toilet’ practices should not leave any mess that degrades people’s outdoor enjoyment. During peak seasons (especially over the Christmas and Easter holidays) public toilet facilities and rubbish bins should be cleaned and refreshed at least every day (including public holidays

47 and weekends). Lines of responsibility carried by the municipalities and MET/MFMR officials should be clearly defined for these duties. e) All visitors and operators (including MET) in the Park should encourage and practice the 3-R principles of waste Reduction, Re-use and Recycling wherever possible. The strategies for different types of waste are as follows: f) Designated, fenced waste sites should be created for diodegradable household waste. Secondary pollution from wind-blown litter or from scavengers (such as crows, jackals and hyenas) should be prevented by adequate enclosure of the site. Because decomposition rates in this arid environment are very slow, decomposition of this waste should be encouraged by circulating some flow of grey water over the waste site on a daily basis. g) Septic tanks should be installed for water-borne sewage. h) Sites which generate domestic solid waste such as bottles, plastics, tins and paper should have a fenced repository area for storage of this waste before it is transported out of the park to the nearest designated authorized landfills. i) Workshops and fuel storage areas should be designed so that contamination from hazardous wastes is prevented. These wastes should be safely contained before transportation to an authorized hazardous waste site. j) Marine oil spills should be handled according to the directives of the Oil Spill Contingency Plan. There should be constant preparedness for an emergency of this sort.

Activities Action Timing Include regular clean-ups as part of scheduled park maintenance activities. 2014 and ongoing Increase frequency of clean-ups doing peak angling seasons. Clearly define responsibilities to ensure that routine cleaning of public 2014 and ongoing rubbish bins and toilets is carried out, especially in popular areas during peak tourism periods. Ensure waste landfills and repository areas are well secured against 2014 and ongoing dispersal of wastes by wind and scavengers. Arrange that trucks going to towns for supplies can carry wastes out of the 2014 and ongoing park and dispose of them in authorized municipal landfills. For the Oil Spill Contingency Plan, collaborate with the Emergency 2014 and ongoing Management Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister, Directorate of Maritime Affairs in MWTC, and Benguela Current Commission, to be always adequately prepared for an oil spill emergency on the coast. This should include planning for access to remote areas of the coast by emergency teams.

48 Chapter 8

Administration and management

Since management and administration underpin all operations, an efficient administrative structure is required to support financing, procurement, human resources, stores and supplies, and maintenance of the Park. Many of these aspects are controlled by public service and/or MET policy, procedures or legislation. These measures limit the autonomy of park administrators and managers. Innovative operating procedures could nonetheless be implemented to address issues specific to local conditions.

Objective To ensure compliance with public service policies and procedures within which an efficient operating system is implemented for the conservation and economic development of Namib Naukluft Park.

Strategies and Principles a) MANAGEMENT PLAN: The current document represents Namib Naukluft Park’s management plan that includes the following minimum components: the purpose and objectives of the Park; a summary of core ecological, social, and economic principles and drivers.

The management plan must be in standardised, useable, practical format that is easy to implement and adapt and complies with the MET’s ‘Framework and Guidelines for Development of Park Management Plans’. Namib Naukluft Park shall further have an operational plan that summarises and guides all the normal activities and developments conducted by park management. This operational plan comprises eight management tools: 1) a summary of the policy framework, 2) an annual work plan, 3) a monthly work plan, 4) a development planning calendar, 5) zonation plan and guidelines, 6) a financial planning system, 7) a compilation of background information, and 8) a monitoring and evaluation system. b) LAW ENFORCEMENT: Illegal hunting remains a major management issue for MET as well as conservancies since poaching poses a major risk to wildlife and tourism products. Vigilance against wildlife crime is therefore a very high management priority. c) COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Since communities have close links to the Park and its natural resources, mechanisms must be found that improve management efficiency by employing or outsourcing work to local people, and through joint implementation of key activities such as law enforcement, fire management, etc. d) RESEARCH AND MONITORING: An active monitoring system of carefully selected and agreed indicators, both bio-physical and socio-economic, is essential if management effectiveness is to be improved and adapted as conditions change. Monitoring systems, such as the IBMS must therefore provide key information, especially regarding threats or opportunities. Monitoring on an operational level is not limited to the natural resource base, but also includes management efficiency. Research will be supported, primarily through collaboration, and will focus on the following:

49 - high value areas such as wetlands and riparian forests, as well as game movements and reintroductions; - improving management effectiveness, especially that which pertains to human-wildlife conflict, fire, community wildlife-and-tourism-related impacts; - the socio-economic impact of the Park. e) HUMAN RESOURCES play a critical role in the management of the Park, and therefore training and continuous staff development are essential. The MET policy on HIV/AIDS must be implemented. Procedures should be implemented to redress past gender imbalances. f) FINANCIAL CONTROL AND FUNDING: Financial controls as required under MET and other policies and legislation must be complied with. However, a broader, proactive business approach that continually resets targets of performance must be adopted. Resource and cost estimates must be monitored to ensure that targets for specific deliverables are met and improvements made. Alternative sources of funding should continually be explored to improve the management and operating efficiency of the Park. g) GENERAL ADMINISTRATION: Mechanisms, which improve effectiveness of delivery, must always be explored. All assets must be accounted for, maintained and applied to their intended uses. Where appropriate, new technologies, equipment and fixed infrastructure must be explored and introduced.

Activities a) Formulate annual work plans with outputs and budget allocations (this task falls to park managers) that are agreed to by senior staff. Monitor implementation of the plans. Plans are to address major challenges and should ensure that important opportunities are optimised, for example: - activities must be resourced with appropriate staff, equipment and funding; - mechanisms should be provided to overcome challenges; - opportunities to review and modify work plans must be created, and adaptive management applied as circumstances change; - work plans with expected deliverables and dates should always be communicated to people responsible for these functions. b) Decision makers at all relevant levels should support park managers in their endeavours to implement this plan. c) Ensure that all MET assets are accounted for, protected and maintained in working order and deployed to contribute towards this plan. d) Monitor any changes in legislation and advise on their impact on the Park and associated operations. e) Identify gaps in knowledge relating to management and where appropriate, through collaboration, find solutions to improve the understanding of the natural system and the socio-economic benefits from the Park. f) Establish a system of monitoring and recording all aspects of the Park so that control can be exercised and management improved, especially with respect to: - the socio-economic benefits which result from the Park; - the development and responsible operation of tourism products; - compliance with all collaboration agreements; - adherence to budgets, and accountability for finances. g) Develop a respectful and efficient working relationship with staff and other stakeholders,

50 especially resident and neighbouring communities. h) Make recommendations and follow up on any reviews or changes to this plan, relevant legislation, development requirements, funding, research and other management related issues.