WWF has recognised Namibia’s communal conservancy programme as a Gift to the Earth – an award for globally significant conservation achievement – profiling the groundbreaking conservation action and responsible tourism that has helped wildlife populations recover with major benefits for rural communities. At the Adventure Travel World Summit in October in Windhoek former WWF International President Chief Anyaoku congratulated Namibia President Pohamba on the programme. This has enabled local communities to establish 79 conservancies covering 16 million hectares to manage their natural resources and wildlife. These conservancies bring half of Namibia under conservation management and involve one in ten Namibians. The model is being replicated in other countries.

Original article posted: 25.10.13  Updated: 02.12.13