Book Launch: Status Quo of Sustainable Forest Management in Namibia
On 22 May 2023, the NSFM Project launched a publication titled ‘Status Quo of Sustainable Forest Management in Namibia’ in Windhoek. The publication is a component of the ‘Promoting Sustainable Forest Management in the Kavango-Zambezi Region in Namibia’ (NSFM) Project, a collaborative initiative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) Namibia and the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN), financially supported by the European Union.
The publication launch was moderated by Dr Clemens von Doderer, Resident Representative HSF Namibia, who gave the introduction and welcoming remarks. He appreciated all who contributed to the publication book for their tremendous work in writing the book and he further highlighted the significance and contribution of the status quo book to the high learning institutions, NGOs, government and researchers in knowledge and skills, for a greater need for research and development in Namibia.
The presentation of the book was done by Prof Vera De Cauwer, the author of the book ‘Status Quo of Sustainable Forest Management in Namibia’. The author stated that the book highlights the need to monitor the forested area in Namibia on a five-yearly basis, using the newest technologies available, and to perform national forest inventories at least every 10 years. Moreover, the book underlines crucial research gaps that need to be addressed by foresters to do visibility studies due to extensive forest degradation, which is more difficult to monitor than deforestation. Forest mapping with satellites is an essential component to monitor the extent of forest cover in Namibia. To monitor forest degradation, there is a need to perform multiple forest inventories over time. Forest inventories are measurements of trees with the main goal to determine the number of trees, wood, and biomass. The only forest inventory done at a national level took place 23 years ago which did not cover all woodlands, therefore, there is a greater need for a comprehensive inventory in Namibia. She further concluded that a lot more forest research is needed, and that the book points out the need to change many of the old ways to keep the forests and woodlands.
The author informed the audience that the book was written for easy use by managers, educators, and researchers, explaining different concepts and citing all literature used. Furthermore, the book will contribute to an improved implementation of sustainable forest management in Namibia, so that NGOs, government, and researchers will join forces to achieve sustainable forest managent, and that the next version of the book will be able to report on the great progress made.
The booklaunch was followed by a lively Q&A session. Most participants valued and appreciated the status quo book and wished the availability of the book in the National Library and school libraries for easy access.
Closing Remarks were done by Dr Lara Beer, Project Manager NSFM-Project, Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) Namibia, who acknowledged and thanked the author of the book that is an essential peace in the mosaik towards sensitising the community with sustainable forest management knowledge and skills.
Printed copies of the book are availabe for free at the House of Demorcracy, 70-72 Dr Farns Indongo Street, Windhoek West. Also, an electronic version is available and can be downloaded from this website. Click here for electronic version.
When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.