OPUWO: Lion rangers and conservancies in Kunene Northwest were recognized for their dedication to wildlife conservation at an event in Opuwo. The awards celebrated their achievements in ensuring the survival of wildlife and reducing human-lion conflicts in northwestern Namibia. Four lion rangers from six conservancies received various rewards, including certificates, trophies, money, and small livestock, for their commitment to conservation efforts.
According to Namibia News Agency, Rinoveni Tjauira from the Namibian Lion Trust – Omatendeka Conservancy, who trekked nearly 5,000 kilometers last month, retained his first-place status and was awarded 10 goats, along with the award he won last year. Esau Matundu and Kaidue Uaroua of Ehi-Rovipuka Conservancy also retained their awards. This year’s ceremony marked the rise of Olga Karizemi, a female ranger from Orupupa Conservancy, who received N. dollars 2,000 and a goat after trekking over 2,000 kilometers during the evaluation period.
The initiative is part of
a broader conservation strategy where conservancies and communities are responsible for maintaining a healthy lion population and mitigating human-wildlife conflicts in exchange for performance-based payments. The Conservancy Management Structure, Conservancy Members/Community, and Conservancy Lion Rangers are among the beneficiaries of the program. Sesfontein received N. dollars 244,775 for lion conservation efforts, followed by Ehirovipuka with N. dollars 209,492, Orupupa with N. dollars 218,313, Anabeb with N. dollars 227,133, Omatendeka with N. dollars 349,492, and Torra conservancy with N. dollars 349,492, totaling over N. dollars 1.4 million.
Minister of Environment and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta, in a speech read on his behalf, highlighted the thriving presence of desert-adapted elephants, lions, and rhinos as a testament to nature’s resilience and the Kunene community’s contributions to biodiversity goals. He emphasized the ongoing commitment of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) a
nd partners like the Community Conservation Fund of Namibia (CCFN) and KFW to address core issues impacting the Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) program.
Community Conservation Fund of Namibia (CCFN) chairperson Andrew Corbert reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to supporting biodiversity protection initiatives and promoting long-term human-wildlife coexistence in Namibia’s remote wilderness areas.
