Conservation

Namibia near Uis

Desert Elephants digging for water in a dry river bed at dusk

Photo: John Caddick

Namibia was the first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip.

Its state-controlled protected area network comprises 21 parks and recreation areas. Three protected areas, Etosha Pan, Namib-Naukluft and Skeleton Coast comprise 80% of it.

In addition, Namibia has 150 private nature reserves totalling 7,642 km2 or almost 1% of the land area.

In common with most African countries, Namibia has a number of environmental issues including very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; and land degradation.

Namibia is party to a number of international agreements: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, and Wetlands.

The African Bird Club made an expedition award in 2004 from its conservation fund for a project to determine the population densities and distribution of Cape Griffon Gyps coprotheres and White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus around the Waterburg Plateau Park.