Windhoek: The Khwe San community residing in Bwabwata National Park has urged the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism to improve the enforcement of the park's rules and regulations. They claim that current enforcement is insufficient, undermining conservation efforts and threatening their livelihoods.

According to Namibia Press Agency, a delegation from the Bwabwata Khwe Spearheading Committee submitted a petition to Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel on Monday, which was received by her personal assistant. Committee leader Sonner Geria expressed that the delegation aimed to address longstanding concerns with the minister regarding the enforcement of park regulations.

The Khwe community's concerns include illegal settlements and unlawful harvesting of natural resources, which Geria stated are detrimental to both conservation efforts and their community's livelihoods. "We wanted to tell the minister about the land issue we are facing. We do not know who the land belongs to, whether the park belongs to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism or to someone else. That is what we wanted to discuss with her. We are also concerned about people bringing more cattle into the area. It makes us unhappy because our cattle were removed from the same park, yet other people are allowed to bring theirs in," Geria explained.

Bwabwata National Park, spanning 2 274 square kilometers, was established in 2007 following the merger of the Caprivi Game Park and Mahango Game Park. It extends across parts of the Zambezi and Kavango East regions. Geria highlighted the Khwe community's long-standing presence in the area, remarking, "We have lived in this area for many years. The park found us here, or you could say the government found us here."

Geria further noted that the Khwe community, estimated at around 7,000 people, feels betrayed after agreeing to remove their cattle from the park in 1996. "As we are speaking now, more and more cattle are being brought into the park, while people from outside continue cutting down trees. Our main concern is that we cannot wait any longer; we are prepared to take ownership," he stated.

The grievances are primarily directed at the Hambukushu Traditional Authority members in the Kavango East Region, whom the Khwe accuse of treating Bwabwata National Park as their own territory. Geria emphasized the community's desire for the government to clarify the park's ownership and administration, which they believe would enable them to appoint their own traditional leader to protect the park's natural resources.

Ministry spokesperson Vilho Hangula confirmed that the minister had received the petition and would provide comments after reviewing its contents and engaging with the Khwe community.