This Act amends various sections of the Nature Conservation Ordinance, 1975 and inserts new provisions on the granting of concessions by the Minister relating to sustainable tourism activities in game parks, nature reserves and other protected areas. The Minister may also establish a renewable electricity source for the purposes of the management of game parks, nature reserves and other protected areas or protection of the environment or the combating of climate change. The objectives of granting such concessions shall be, among other things, to - (a) enhance the conservation of biodiversity and the maintenance of the ecological integrity of protected areas and other State land; (b) enhance the ability of the Ministry to effectively manage protected areas and wildlife resources on other State land where applicable and to control and monitor tourism operations and other commercial use of wild animal or plant resources; (d) enhance through concessions the economic empowerment of formerly disadvantaged Namibians and rural communities living in and around protected areas and their entrance into the tourism and other wildlife-based industries. In case of concessions awarded on State land that is not a protected area, a right of leasehold from the communal land board concerned is required in terms of Part 2 of the Communal Land Reform Act, 2002. The Minister shall grant a concession that is in line with the management objectives and management plan of the protected area for which an application for concessions has been made. Other amendments of the Act concern offences and penalties.
Namibie · 2017-06-09