The Covid-19 Impact Mitigation Measures in the Conservation and Tourism Sector project marked a significant chapter in Namibia’s efforts to preserve its conservation legacy through the challenging years of the pandemic. It began at a time when Namibia’s treasured conservation areas faced an unprecedented crisis: the global pandemic had ravaged tourism, a key economic lifeline for places like the Ai-Ais-Richtersveld and Iona Skeleton Coast Transfrontier Parks. Revenue from tourism, which normally sustained both conservation and the welfare of surrounding communities, had all but vanished. Faced with this reality, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) stepped forward to lead an initiative designed to bridge the gap until tourism could return, carrying with it the promise of stability and renewal. At the heart of the project was a dedication to protecting Namibia’s wildlife and landscapes. With anti-poaching as a critical priority, the project funded patrols that ventured across the transfrontier parks, fortified with dry ration packs and fuel to allow for regular, joint operations. These patrols became a line of defence for endangered species and essential habitats. Park rangers received vital training, from mastering 4x4 driving to handling snakes and administering first aid, all of which bolstered their readiness to manage the parks and ensure visitor safety. Each training session
equipped these frontline defenders with the skills they needed to tackle the daily challenges of conservation, even in the toughest conditions.

The project didn’t stop at the preservation of wildlife; it looked to the very landscapes that sustained them. One major effort addressed the invasive Prosopis species, which had begun to choke the native biodiversity along the park’s riverine ecosystems. In Rosh Pinah, 16 community members joined in on Prosopis removal and harvesting, gaining hands-on skills and a sense of purpose
in revitalizing their own natural surroundings. This initiative provided much-needed work opportunities, weaving together the conservation of Namibia’s unique habitats with sustainable livelihoods for its people. Recognizing that tourism infrastructure needed
to be ready for the industry’s eventual resurgence, the project set its sights on the Boo Plaatz Adventure Hub. As a vital stop for cross-border tourism, Boo Plaatz had been neglected in the pandemic’s wake. The project took on the task of restoring its ablution facilities, ensuring the hub was ready to welcome back tourists. This effort was part of a larger strategy to enhance the parks’ accessibility and appeal, aiming to set the stage for an economic recovery driven by a vibrant tourism sector. By the time the project drew to a close, it had woven together conservation gains, community support, and an investment in the parks’ future. Through these efforts, it built a legacy that would outlast the crisis, leaving a foundation of resilience for the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld and Iona
Skeleton Coast Transfrontier Parks. This project, crafted in a time of great uncertainty, ultimately became a testament to Namibia’s commitment to ecological and economic endurance in the face of adversity.

Project Outputs:

• Two (2) Toyota Hilux 4x4 vehicles were procured
• Procurement of camping equipment for both /Ai-/Ais Game Park and Skeleton Coast Park (4x 60 litre car fridge, 19x bedroll, 2x binocular, 26x chairs, 28x head lamps, 28x sleeping bags, , 19x tents, 4 ARB compressor, 6x 25 litre water cans, 17 reflector vests, 7x first aid kits,8x GPS hand-held, 1x Nikon camera,8x maglight torches, 3x floodlight solar)
• Three River (3) Guides we appointed for seven (7) months to work at the Boo Platz Adventure Camp – canoeing and guiding activities for tourists vising the area. The Boo Platz camp is important for ARTP cross-border tourism activities under the management of Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR). Due to the Covid-19 impact on tourism, NWR had to lay off some of the River Guides.
• Trainer was appointed to train the three newly appointed River guides and MEFT staff on river guiding.
• offroad/defensive driving training was held in Skeleton Coast Park to train the newly appointed staff to be able to carry out their anti-poaching patrols effectively.
• Renovation of the Ablution facility at Boo Plaatz Adventure Camp completed.
• Prosopis management and harvesting training was conducted in Rosh Pinah to train 16 harvesters for Ai-Ais Game Park and Driehoek.
• A total of Sixteen (16) MEFT staff members went through a series of specialized training programs aimed at enhancing their skills and capabilities for effective wildlife conservation and management - These training sessions include:

1. Driving in difficult terrain (4*4 offroad driving)

2. Snake handling and identification

3. River guide training

4. Level one first aid

5. Training on controlling alien invasive plants