By: Hertha Ekandjo
Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, says Namibia needs to start conducting an assessment of its natural capital to motivate investors to invest in the tourism sector.
Shifeta says such an assessment would be crucial for investors to gauge how their investments contribute to the growth of natural capital within the respective communities.
“We also need to show investors that, yes, you bring in N$100 million, but will it quantify what this community has in terms of natural capital,” said the minister.
The evaluation of natural capital involves valuing impacts and dependencies on natural capital to enhance its integration into decision-making processes and improve natural capital management.
Shifeta notes that sometimes visible natural capital is not considered, leading communities to feel compelled to seek support from operators.
He advocates for a broader perspective and strategic planning to maximise the benefits for communities. The minister asserts that displaced communities from protected areas must benefit from concessions granted to parks and other protected areas by the ministry.
Comments