Finnish Give Backing to Elephant Plan (Namibia) 

Irene !Hoaës, New Era

Macch 19, 2009

WINDHOEK - The Finnish Embassy has availed N$252 000 for drafting a management plan for the elephant population in the north-west of Namibia.

The Embassy of Finland positively responded to a funding proposal that was submitted to various donor institutions by forwarding N$250 000 for drafting the plan.

Following the escalation of human-elephant conflict experienced in the northwest, the farming community (Joint Presidency Committee: Namibia National Farmers Union, Namibia Agricultural Union and the Emerging Commercial Farmers) in collaboration with the environment ministry approached a consultant to draft a management plan.

In recent years, conflict with elephants has escalated in the farming districts surrounding the western half of the Etosha National Park, extending southwards through Kamanjab to Outjo and towards Otjiwarongo.

"This conflict takes the form of damage to water supplies, fence breaking, vegetation damage and raids on vegetable gardens," Pintile Davids, the President of the Namibia National Farmers Union said at a ceremony.

Davids said the conflict is not new and that throughout history, humans and elephants have competed for resources such as water. 

"It has become important to draft a management plan between all stakeholders affected by the north-western elephant population, in order to address their concerns," he added.

The estimated combined elephant population inside and outside Etosha National Park is about 4 000, while elephants outside the park in the affected areas are estimated at slightly over 1 000. 

According to the NNFU president, more elephants are leaving the park, as a steep gradient in declining rainfall from east to west results in a range which is most attractive to elephants south and east of Etosha.

One thousand elephants are distributed over 100 000 square kms in the northwest of Namibia, while the stocking rate for one animal is 100 square km.

The Chargé d'Affaires of Finland, Asko Luukkainen, said the management plan supports ecologically sustainable development and protection of the environment that is high in the Finnish Development agenda.

Luukkainen expressed hope that the up-coming Elephant Management Plan for the northwestern region will come up with tangible recommendations and solutions to the prevailing elephant-human conflict.

Finland is funding a similar project in Nepal on how to control animal movement in that country, which Luukkainen said is a success.

"It is a great pleasure to do similar financing. A management plan is very important as it prevents both parties (human or animal) from suffering," the Finnish representative said.

The drafting of the management plan will start immediately for the next six months