LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROJECT IN THE
ERONGO REGION
INTRODUCTION:
The introduction of the ICZM project in the Erongo Region has been
one of the Namibian Governments efforts to ensure wise utilization of
natural resources of the coastal zone by Namibians and visitors. This
was because the Government of Namibia realized the fragile
conditions of the coastal zone and the need to preserve it from
destruction.
However, what the Government didn’t realize is, first the magnitude of
the work involved in the actual implementation of the project, and the
success thereof; secondly, the commitment by the Ministry of Regional
Local Government and Housing to assign some of the staff at Regional
level to participate in the project on adhoc basis, was a mere oversight
on the Government site. For reason that, the newly established
Regional Councils are still in the process to find their feet (i.e.
shortage of staff), and therefore could hardly meet the required
expectation.
Despite the limitations encountered, the Erongo Regional Council
welcomed the implementation of the project with open arms.
Furthermore, the Central Namib is the most accessible portion of the
Namibian coastline with established roads rail links and other
infrastructure. The coastal portion of the Erongo region comprised
the National West Coast Recreation Area and the Municipalities of
Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties Bay and the Peri-urban area of
Wlotzkasbaken.
Interspersed along the 250-kilometre stretch of
beach are tourism camps run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts and the
Cape Cross Seal Reserve managed as from June 2000 by the
Directorate of Resource Management.
An increase in tourism
activities especially those with significant environmental impact
together with mining, aquaculture and increase industrial and human
population growth has led to a concern for the continued
environmental integrity of the region. Attempts were made in the past
to develop a plan that was called “Guidelines for the Development of
the Central Namib”. All the relevant stakeholders were invited to give
their input during the workshops and in the production of the final
report in 1987.
This was the first attempt at getting diverse disciplines together to
think in an integrated fashion. However, the MET believe that it was a
little premature as many line Ministries, local authorities and other
stakeholders were not yet prepared to share. It however made the
implementation of the ICZMP more acceptable when it was first
introduced the years later.
Indeed the first Logical Framework
Analysis workshops held during the project preparation phase in
Walvis Bay in 1995, the rift between the various stakeholders became
obvious and the need for the project more apparent.
This discussion will focus on the lessons learned from the two major
stakeholders, the Erongo Regional Council and the Ministry of
Environment and Tourism.
Lessons Learned from the Erongo Regional Council:
1. Environmental protection in Namibia mainly focussed on
animal protection and fishing of protected species, thus, coastal
zone management was a new phenomenon by the majority of
Namibians since the coastal activities were mainly associated
with tourist and the non-white Namibians. However, with the
implementation of the ICZM project in Erongo Region, it became
clear to Regional Council (predominantly black) that a need
exist to protect and control activities on the coast from
permanent damage.
2. That there is an urgent need to re-direct and council some sport
activities already in place between Walvis Bay and
Swakopmund and between Swakopmund and Henties Bay.
Also to carefully scrutinize applications for sport related
activities on the coast.
3. It is important that he present measures to control the
movement of tourist vehicles along the coast especially between
Walvis Bay and Swakopmund be kept in check from
destruction. Also monitoring must be increased so that the
offenders can be brought to book.
4. Research has shown that the law is not on the side of those
institutions set up by Government to protect environment – as a
result, officials assigned to carry out protection cannot
apprehend culprits. Thus, Government’s commitment does not
end at the signing of agreements, but also to commit itself to be
speedy implementation of decentralization process to the
regions. This process will certainly enable regions to embark
upon introducing laws /by laws to punish the culprits.
5. Research has also shown, the injustice done by the colonial
Government in data collection in Namibia – thus, the need is
there for the Government of the day to update statistics on the
need of housing, population, etc for proper record keeping. Also
environmental studies need to be included in school curriculum
to stress the importance of the subject awareness at a very
young age.
6. Tourism being one of the major earners of foreign exchange, its
high times that environmental protection and control is realized.
The creation of a Environmental Protection Unit composed of 2
– 4 specialized persons will certainly be needed to keep the
environmental matter in check at the West Coast of Erongo
Region.
Lessons Learned from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism:
Publication and Preparation of Coastal Profile:
This was one of the most beneficial outcomes of the project as it forced
all stakeholders to update the position of activities in the region.
Meetings were held and technical committees formed to put the
chapters of the profile together. The workshops held in this regard led
to the creation of an integrated approach to management of resources.
The document itself has and is becoming a very useful tool for
decision-makers both in central government and locally. In some
respects it also doubles as a state of the environment report.
Inter-Sectoral Information Sources Linked:
The installation of computers and Internet connections in the two
main offices and the creation of a “homepage” have done much to fast
track key stakeholders into the information age.
With the
improvement of communication skills through the project’s capacity
building module links between various stakeholders has been much
improved.
Email in particular has proved to be an excellent, economically
affordable tool to communicate over long distances. What is needed is
training in updating the information on the “homepage”.
All
organizations are dynamic and information can become outdated very
quickly.
Co-ordination related to CZM improved:
Without co-ordination fragmentation occurs. Co-ordination existed
with an outside project leader who the stakeholders could trust. As
soon as the project leader leaves the system only partially works with
those who have established a working relationship. I can say that
good co-operation exists with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine
Resources however the same does not fit easily with all Ministries.
The situation is still vastly improved from before the project started.
Government is still perceived to be a top down institution with little or
no feed from our head offices in Windhoek on may issues. Local lines
Ministries are often not consulted on decisions made in Windhoek,
which normally involves hidden agendas and the realm of bio politics.
The Governor of our region tries to bring government stakeholders and
political councillors together monthly to discuss issues pertaining to
the region.
Political issues once again over-rule environmental
considerations often.
A lot more work is needed in this area to ensure ongoing teamwork
among all stakeholders. The people working on the ground all seem
willing enough however they become distrustful if any one institution
take the lead. It is becoming more acceptable for the Government to
call on people to gather for a meeting on any subject, however then
people fear a political decision.
Overall co-ordination related to CZM has been improved, as the
decentralization process gradually becomes acceptable.
Policy and Legislation reviewed and EIA produced:
This part of the project was very useful and has set forth many
changes for the better. Unfortunately those people responsible for
assisting in environmental protection (the magistrates in courts) did
not attend and seemed to show little interest or they had no time.
The Environmental Management Plan produced for the dune area
between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay was an excellent baseline
study on which to build future plans on. Most of the guidelines
produced are being followed, and decisions are being made on a
consultative basis generally, although on some occasions people fail to
get all the authorities to approve their ventures and events emerge
which do not have the blessing of all the stakeholders. This often
turns out to be a hidden agenda issue, which involves the possibility
of corruption in some areas.
Enforcement System Reviewed and Enhanced:
This output together with the awareness output is supposed to
improve environmental behaviour in the region. It is a debatable
matter and I would like to say that things have improved. The types
of transgressions we are dealing with on the coast have also changed
and our enforcement capabilities need to be dynamic. What is really
needed is the support of the prosecutors, magistrates and the justice
system. The legislation needs to be updated and the fines increased,
it is being worked on.
Overall this output was valuable and having a Danish counterpart to
compare notes was very productive.
Existing Waste Disposal Evaluated:
The existing systems are not acceptable and Walvis Bay is in the
process of upgrading their system. An improvement is also necessary
at our waste disposal sites. The recommendations in the report need
to be followed.
Public Awareness on CZM improved:
Certainly this has been a successful exercise. The public has become
more aware of the activities related to the protection of sensitive areas
and the environmental aspects of their activities.
This output is still in the process of being completed. The problem
with this output is that no consultation regarding who should do the
information signs was done with local counterparts. The result was
that an incompetent person was chosen to do the work and it was
paid for before we could see the results. The signs took two years to
have put up because they had to be sent back for mistakes that any
word processor should have picked up. The mistakes did not end
here as the same company also got posters printed with mistakes.
Stakeholders trained in areas related to CZM:
The capacity of the people in our office has most certainly been
improved as a result of the training sponsored by the project. The
computer literacy is still being taught (MS Word and MS Excel).
One of our staff members of the MET was sent on a study tour to
Cape Town and Denmark to broaden the outlook on environmental
management.
Generally the staff have obtained a broader
environmental outlook through the training received.
Possibilities for sustainable financing:
Levies were suggested however because of the lack of decentralization
nothing has been achieved. Walvis Bay may be able, through the
Municipality and the A21 Project to introduce a “By-law” to obtain
revenue from the quad bikes that are busy churning up the
environment.
Possible future DANCED support suggested:
Due to slow pace of decentralisation the project has come to an
unfortunate end and future DANCED money will be channelled into
Walvis Bay and the A21 project.
Fortunately with the extension of the project time other coastal
regions have been brought in thus strengthening the political resolve.
CONCLUSION:
It is time that when the project was first introduced, the terminology
was new to us, but as time went on, the need for the project became
much clearer. Research has also shown that different departments
were operating separately on environmental protection, which is not a
bad idea, but there is a need for co-ordination.
The inclusion of the three regions namely, the Kunene, Hardap and
Karas and the subsequent birth of the National Coastal Zone
Management Committee is one of the achievement by the ICZM aimed
at the protection of environmental destruction i.e. protection of:




Bird breeding areas especially the Damara Turn and Flamingo’s
Legium fields especially between Swakopmund and Henties Bay
Sand dunes especially the damage caused by quake bikes
Off track driving on the beach with the 4x4 vehicles. Etc
The staff of the two main stakeholder institutions could not be relieved
of their normal duties, which created a serious time constraint to the
project. In future this aspect must be resolved from the start.
Another weakness was the poor people involvement.
Generally it was a good time to implement the project and people are
now more willing than ever to accept an integrated approach to CZM.
People involvement in the processes has improved and the willingness
and enthusiasm has been exceptional.