Assessment of the effectiveness on the implementation of the revised national policy on human wildlife conflict management in Namibia: A case study of Nyae Nyae conservancy

Abstract

Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC) has emerged as one of the unintended but costly consequences of Namibia’s successful conservation efforts. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the National Human Wildlife Conflict Policy Management in Namibia. The study sought to address three (3) research objectives, namely to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the Revised National Policy on Human Wildlife Conflict Management in Nyae Nyae Conservancy, Otjozondjupa Region; to explore the success and challenges that are faced in the implementation of the revised national policy on HWC management in Nyae Nyae Conservancy; and to suggest strategies that can be used to improve the implementation of the revised national policy on human wildlife conflict management in Nyae Nyae Conservancy and Namibia as a whole. The research aimed to address human wildlife conflict using a case study design, adopting a critical paradigm. Data were collected through purposive sampling and analyzed thematically according to research objectives, ensuring well organized responses to real world consequences. Findings from the study emphasize the importance of comprehensive and inclusive HWC awareness. The study also highlights the need for policy compliant community level HWC mitigation initiatives. It suggests adjusting HWC interventions and encouraging human wildlife cooperation for long term effectiveness. The study further notes the need for improved officials' response to HWC incidents and the ongoing shortage of resources. The effectiveness of HWC reduction efforts depends on resource preparedness and collaboration. A few areas that need further research as far as HWC policy implementation in Conservancies is concerned were exposed in the study. This includes approaches and ways on how to promote human wildlife coexistence in the face of HWC, ways how to tighten financial management measures regarding the HWC Self Reliance Scheme to ensure that funds are well accounted for and that they reach the intended beneficiaries, approaches on how to strengthen communication and response to HWC incidents in Conservancies in Namibia.