Farmers in windhoek exchange tourism for farm work

21st April 2015 Some farmers in Windhoek, Namibia have come up with an innovative solution to some of their pressing business related issues. Following repeated and disturbing issues such as illegal squatters, poaching, unlawful firewood collectors, poaching, and theft, they have decided to switch lanes and take up tourism, biodiversity and socio-economic development activities in an area that measures about 760 square kilometres, in the Khomas Hochland Plateau.

The area is one of the five sites mapped out 4 years ago, for the concept of landscape conservation under the Namibia Protected Landscape Conservations Areas Initiative. It operates under a partnership between the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the United Nations Development Programme.

At a media excursion trip to one of the farms, the project’s Communications Officer Manini Kandume explained that the project will ensure that land use in areas close to protected areas is compatible with biodiversity conservation objectives. He is quoted as saying “The Windhoek Green Belt Landscape is being managed under an innovative co-operative management approach where many landowners are coming together to manage the area at landscape level. Working together and working at landscape-level brings multiple benefits when compared to managing only at farm level”

Recreational activities have begun already at one of the facilities, and others will be open for the public in due time as the sites are completed. Expect to hear of activities such as like hiking, hotel and camping, wildlife, sightseeing and more. The farmers are happy about being part of the initiative and are relieved to have a new means of livelihood which is different but still related to their original profession.