SOME COMMUNITIES in Namibia now have rights to manage forests in their vicinity under a new empowerment programme.

The Namibian government has designated eight forests in the north of the country as community forests and has, with technical assistance from German Development Service (DED), been offering training in forestry management and planning.

The eight community forests in the Kavango and Caprivi regions as well as Tsumkwe, are part of 13 gazetted by the Namibian government in February.

The Community Forestry in North-Eastern Namibia (CFNEN) is a joint venture between the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, DED and the German Development Bank.

The project also promotes the establishment of private orchards and vegetable gardens.

“Within the declared community forests local people are able to control the sustainable use and protection of valuable wood and non-wood forest resources against over-utilisation, illegal harvesting and wild fires,” said DED.

The communities now have the right to issue permits for use of trees, firewood and other forest products, and can link resources utilisation to management plans and relevant regulations or by-laws. (Namibian Economist)