Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources, Melania Ndjago has stressed the need for Namibia to bolster its commitment to environmental sustainability.
Drawing inspiration from discussions at the Nevsky International Ecological Congress held in Saint Petersburg, Russia, earlier this year, Ndjago outlined several key recommendations in a report aimed at fostering a green and sustainable future for Namibia.
The first recommendation advocates for the government, specifically through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, to construct or reinforce legal corridors that encourage and support organisations, individuals and businesses to operate in an environmentally responsible manner.
In addition, Ndjago urged the Ministry to collaborate with local authorities, urging concerted efforts in addressing pressing environmental issues.
“The MEFT encourage all local authorities to make concerted efforts in tackling the issues of the environment, such as clean air, waste disposal and rehabilitating old waste dumps,” she said.
Recognising the significance of Namibia’s forests, the third recommendation calls for proactive measures in areas where forests are prevalent.
Ndjago urged the ministry to promote reforestation efforts and provide essential planting materials to enhance the effectiveness of forest restoration, reflecting a commitment to sustainable natural resource management.
Furthermore, in a bid to instil environmental consciousness from a young age, she advised MEFT to promote and popularise Ecoactivism among Namibian citizens, particularly targeting the younger generation.
The final recommendation emphasises collaboration between MEFT and regional authorities to establish movements akin to the Ecolyata Movement.
“That the MEFT, in collaboration with regional authorities, establish similar movements as the Ecolyata Movement to inculcate in children the understanding to care for the environment from a young age,” she said.
The event, which was organised by the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, provided a platform for global stakeholders to deliberate on environmental challenges and collectively work towards a sustainable future.
The mission of the Congress, promoting an international environmental security framework, underscored the urgency for nations to collaborate and prioritize environmental sustainability.
