NAMIBIA SAVES SAND DUNES

GOVERNMENT TAKES HARD LINE

ON OFF-ROAD HOOLIGANS,

DECLARES DUNE BELT PROTECTED AREA

Sand dunes meet the ocean at Walvis Bay, Namibia.

The dune belt between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay in Namibia will be declared a protected area to safeguard the dunes from further deterioration.

Namibia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism wants the vulnerable coastal area to be proclaimed a park, or be incorporated into the existing Namibia Naukluft Park. The National West Coast Recreation Area will also become a national park in an effort to protect the areas from further damage.

These measures follow the ministry's failed attempts to get cooperation from illegal off-road drivers and quad bikers who continue to drive in prohibited areas, damaging the ecologically sensitive areas. The coastline is a designated important bird area, and is home to up to 770 birds per kilometer, the highest count of birds anywhere in southern Africa. The Damara Tern, a rare and specially protected species, has its breeding ground in the area. In addition, the dunes are home to unique beetles and spiders, reptiles and mammals that live mainly on the vegetation or on the slip faces.

Under the new legislation some off-road driving will still be permitted, but only in designated areas, and under stricter supervision. The legislation will be in place by June, with full implementation by the end of the year.

Shoutout to the government of Namibia for protecting its beautiful coastline from thoughtless marauders.

Sources, resources, discourses:

1. allAfrica.com – article
2. OASYS Namibia (Pty) Ltd – article
3. University of Texas Libraries - map