Namibia Minute.
Tuesday, 6 October 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 6 October 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Namibian press · Organization

Environment ministry

Also known as: Ministry of Environment and Tourism

Ministry responsible for environmental clearances, wildlife management, forestry, and natural resource protection in Namibia.

2023-05-092026-10-06

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. June 2026
  2. The Namibian

    Ministry of Environment and Tourism provides support to Brown Hyena Research Project

    Source

    “The project is a conservation initiative operating in the Lüderitz area with support from diamond mining company Namdeb and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.”

    Protected habitat helps brown hyenas flourish
  3. May 2026
  4. The Namibian

    Ministry of Environment and Tourism advised the authority not to apply for renewal of their ECC due to massive environmental damage

    Source

    “However, after the certificate expired last year, the ministry advised the authority not to apply for a renewal of their ECC as the sand-mining activity has caused massive environmental damage to the site.”

    Sand mining at Onatshiku leaves dead palm trees
  5. Informanté

    Environment Ministry were accused of assaulting a poaching suspect in Ruacana

    Source

    “CHARGES against NDF, NamPol and Environment Ministry officials accused of assaulting a poaching suspect in Ruacana, Omusati Region, could be dropped after the complainant was found to have lied under oath.”

    Poaching suspect faces charge of perjury
  6. April 2026
  7. The Namibian

    The Ministry of Environment and Tourism had officials involved in a joint anti-poaching operation at Etosha

    Source

    “Basson says the suspects are officials from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Namibian Defence Force and the Namibian Police, who were in a joint anti-poaching operation following a poaching incident at Etosha.”

    Etosha anti-poaching unit accused of burning suspect’s private parts
  8. The Namibian

    Officials from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism inspected the carcass revealing a visible bullet wound on the left side of the stomach from a 30-06 rifle

    Source

    “Officials from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism were informed of the incident, prompting an inspection on the carcass, which revealed a visible bullet wound on the left side of the stomach, where the bullet entered from the 30-06 rifle.”

    Pensioner appears before Katima court for gunning down elephant
  9. The Namibian

    Environment ministry shot the elephant but failed to kill it before it ran off

    Source

    “Environment officials then started looking for the elephant and shot it.”

    Elephant victim’s family demands meat
  10. The Namibian

    Ministry of Environment and Tourism announced driving between Sossusvlei parking areas will be limited to few operators

    Source

    “The Ministry of Environment and Tourism announced on Tuesday that driving between the Sossusvlei 2×4 parking area and the 4×4 parking area (Deadvlei) will be limited to a few operators.”

    Deadvlei access limited to a few shuttle operators
  11. The Namibian

    Ministry of Environment and Tourism is being sought for environmental clearance by NamWater for water infrastructure development

    Source

    “NAMIBIA Water Corporation (NamWater) is seeking environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to develop water infrastructure to support Koryx Copper's proposed Haib mining project in the ||Kharas region.”

    NamWater plans dam to supply Haib mining project
  12. The Namibian

    Environment ministry will de-proclaim section of Walvis Bay landfill from Dorob National Park

    Source

    “The Ministry of Environment and Tourism will de-proclaim a section of the Walvis Bay landfill from Dorob National Park to enable full management of the site by the municipality.”

    Ministry moves to de-proclaim landfill area
  13. The Namibian

    Environment ministry issued compliance order to stop waste dumping at landfill site

    Source

    “The ministry said it also issued a compliance order to stop waste dumping at the site and is now engaging relevant stakeholders.”

    Ministry moves to de-proclaim landfill area

Thursday 3 September

  1. Agriculture minister appeals Sandpiper phosphate environmental clearance

    Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani has appealed against the environmental commissioner's decision to grant an environmental clearance certificate to Namibian Marine Phosphate for the Sandpiper marine phosphate mining project, appealing against the decision in its entirety and all conditions in the certificate.

    3 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 2 September

  1. Omusati communities adopt land-use planning to manage scarcity

    Communities in Omusati region are improving land-use management through a UN-backed drylands sustainability project to address resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and rising agricultural demand. A meeting in Okahao brought together 27 people from three constituencies to develop local land-use plans and discuss restoring degraded land.

    2 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 29 August

  1. APP supports crocodile attack victims' compensation protest

    The All People's Party backs survivors and families protesting outside Mahango Game Park in Kavango East, who are calling for compensation from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism for injuries and deaths from human-wildlife conflict. APP president Ambrosius Kumbwa said the ministry should address grievances with transparency and accountability, and called for a government mechanism to compensate and support victims.

    29 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 24 August

  1. Illegal mopane tree harvesting threatens forest resources in Oshana and Omusati

    Officials in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism have raised concerns about illegal harvesting of mopane trees for firewood in parts of the Oshana and Omusati regions, particularly in Uuvudhiya and Otamanzi constituencies, warning that the complete uprooting of live trees severely damages forest conservation and sustainable natural resource management.

    24 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 20 August

  1. Illegal sand mining continues across Namibia despite environmental laws

    The Ministry of Environment and Tourism says illegal sand and gravel mining persists across the country, posing dangers to the environment, people and livestock. The ministry notes that such commercial extraction requires an environmental impact assessment and clearance certificate, and that illegal sites are particularly prevalent in north-central regions.

    20 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 18 August

  1. Government ban on empty vehicles disrupts Etosha tour operators

    A Ministry of Environment and Tourism directive banning empty game-viewing vehicles from Etosha National Park has put over 100 workers employed by local tour operators at risk of job losses and caused losses of over N$1 million, with operators citing disrupted logistics for transporting tourists and cancelled international bookings.

    18 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 13 August

  1. Ongos veld fire destroys 4,700 hectares near Windhoek

    A veld fire in the Ongos area has affected approximately 4,700 hectares of land, according to preliminary data from the directorate of forestry. City of Windhoek firefighters have resumed containment efforts after winds forced suspension of operations, with remaining activity limited to contained interior fires and monitoring ongoing in affected areas.

    13 August 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Uuvudhiya veld fire destroys grasslands and wildlife habitat

    A forester from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism says the veld fire in Uuvudhiya constituency caused widespread ecological damage, destroying grasslands for livestock and habitats for micro-organisms, insects, and small wildlife, and damaging plant species including iitulu shrubs, acacia, and mopane that local communities and wildlife depend on for food and medicinal purposes.

    13 August 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Katima Mulilo council blocks Yo Maps show during Bream Festival

    The Katima Mulilo Town Council has prohibited Zanami Investment from hosting a Yo Maps concert on 5 September, as it clashes with the ninth Zambezi Bream Festival (30 August–6 September). The council rejected a proposal to collaborate the events, citing that the bream festival is an officially gazetted government event that cannot run concurrently with commercial events.

    13 August 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Namibia to send delegation to UNCCD COP 17 conference

    Namibia will send a delegation headed by Environment and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel to the 17th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 17 to 28 August.

    13 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 10 August

  1. Two men acquitted in seal genital export case

    Two Chinese citizens were found not guilty in the Windhoek Regional Court of charges related to 571 seal bull genitals found in their possession at Hosea Kutako International Airport in January last year. The magistrate determined the seal genitals were legally bought and had not been exported, as the accused's luggage was not booked onto a flight before they were arrested.

    10 August 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia Marine Phosphate receives environmental clearance for Sandpiper project

    The environmental commissioner issued an environmental clearance certificate on 5 August for Knowledge Katti's Namibia Marine Phosphate's Sandpiper marine phosphate mining project offshore Namibia, valid until 5 August 2029. The decision has triggered opposition from the IPC and conservationists who have raised long-running environmental and industry concerns.

    10 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 8 August

  1. Aminuis leaders seek investment in agriculture and salt harvesting

    Constituency and traditional authority leaders in Aminuis, about 150km south of Gobabis, are lobbying government and private investors to develop the settlement's agricultural, salt harvesting, and tourism potential, citing underground water reserves and vast salt pans that could support green schemes and generate jobs.

    8 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 28 July

  1. Cattle herder's snake hunt sparks Oshana veld fire

    A veld fire allegedly caused by a cattle herder hunting snakes in the Oponona farming area of Oshana region on 14 July destroyed 3 560 hectares of grazing land. The fire, which burned until the following day, caused extensive environmental damage, livestock feed loss, and threatened agricultural livelihoods.

    28 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 22 July

  1. Community seed banks to preserve Namibian traditional crops

    Namibia's community seed banks will accept only traditional seeds to preserve indigenous crops and plants, according to the chief forester at the National Plant Genetic Resources Centre. Indigenous seeds are better suited to local conditions and resilient to climate challenges, while genetically modified seeds will be excluded because they deplete soil nutrients.

    22 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 20 July

  1. Community seed bank to serve Kunene-Cuvelai landscape farmers

    A community seed bank planned for Uuvudhiya constituency in Oshana will primarily benefit farmers in the Kunene-Cuvelai landscape, helping preserve indigenous seeds adapted to local conditions after environmental challenges like drought, floods, and climate change have caused their disappearance.

    20 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 12 July

  1. Namibia strengthens enforcement against illegal lithops plant trafficking

    The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has intensified efforts to curb illegal harvesting and trade of lithops, endemic desert succulents prized by collectors worldwide. Environment minister Indileni Daniel told parliament that Namibia has strengthened monitoring, law enforcement and international cooperation, including regular compliance inspections and border monitoring to prevent unlawful exports of the protected species.

    12 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 9 July

  1. Environment ministry launches green economy project for youth

    The environment ministry, in partnership with EIF Namibia, UNIDO and the Global Environment Facility, officially launched the UNIDO-GEF Namibia Child Project.

    9 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Wednesday 8 July

  1. Scientists investigate rising desert elephant calf mortality rates

    Scientists are expanding research into the deaths of desert elephant calves in north-western Namibia, working with researchers to analyse genetic and field samples as well as stress levels in desert elephants. An experienced safari guide suggests increasing human activity and tourist presence around elephants may be contributing to stress, though the exact cause of calf mortality remains unknown.

    8 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 28 June

  1. New visa policy linked to drop in German tourism

    German tourist arrivals to Namibia in 2025 fell compared to the previous year, potentially due to a visa policy introduced last April that ended visa-free travel for European countries. The number of European visitors dropped from 266,000 in 2024 to 210,000 in 2025, though the Hospitality Association of Namibia notes the industry has not seen a similar decline in source markets.

    28 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 23 June

  1. Ondangwa hospital project scaled down to district facility

    The government has scaled down its plans to build an Ondangwa referral hospital, with Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge announcing the project will instead become a 700-bed district hospital. The feasibility study and environmental assessments have been completed, with the AfDB providing financing in collaboration with the ministries of finance and health and social services.

    23 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 20 June

  1. Former gambling addict warns of addiction's family damage

    Esegeel Kondombolo, a Windhoek resident, spent 22 years addicted to gambling, which cost him two jobs and damaged his family relationships before he received help from social workers at the Ministry of Health and Social Services. He now warns that gambling results in losses and can destroy trust within families.

    20 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 13 June

  1. Government lifts livestock movement ban after buffalo tests negative for FMD

    The Directorate of Veterinary Services has lifted restrictions on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals in parts of Ohangwena and Kavango West regions after a buffalo spotted in June tested negative for foot and mouth disease and was euthanised.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Namibia delays accession to UN High Seas Treaty pending capacity

    Namibia will not accede to the United Nations High Seas Treaty until it has the capacity to implement its provisions and fully benefit from marine biodiversity protections beyond national jurisdiction. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform says the country recognises the importance of ocean sustainability but wants to ensure it can meet treaty obligations before joining.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 8 June

  1. NaCC grants Ultimate Safaris 90-day extension in competition probe

    The Namibian Competition Commission has granted Ultimate Safaris a 90-day extension to respond to an investigation into an allegedly illegal agreement with three conservancies. The extension was granted under the Competition Act of 2003, though critics claim the NaCC is treating the company with "kid gloves" given the time it has been allowed to avoid complying with the commission's directive to scrap the exclusive agreements.

    8 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 5 June

  1. Protected habitat maintains stable brown hyena population

    Brown hyenas in Tsau //Khaeb National Park have remained stable since 1997 with an estimated 200 to 300 individuals in the park, benefiting from successful breeding and low human disturbance. The Brown Hyena Research Project, supported by Namdeb and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, studies the species' movements and warns that fences and busy roads could disrupt their long-distance coastal travels and threaten the population.

    5 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 26 May

  1. Desert locust outbreak spreads across Erongo and Hardap regions

    A desert locust outbreak has been detected in parts of Erongo and Hardap, with swarms destroying grazing and vegetation across at least 15 farms covering 300–400 square kilometres. The Ministry of Agriculture says the locusts are in the flying stage, making control difficult, and has deployed vehicle-mounted sprayers to contain the outbreak.

    26 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 21 May

  1. Kavango West school furniture repair faces timber and funding shortfall

    The Mutjimagumwe Woodwork Cooperative's school furniture repair project in Kavango West is running short of materials and funds. The chairperson says the council's initial 180 pieces of timber have been used up, and the N$500 000 payment is nearly exhausted, while the scope has expanded from 4 000 chairs to 4 975 chairs and desks.

    21 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Sand mining at Onatshiku village leaves palm trees dead

    Sand mining at Onatshiku has uprooted palm trees and created a dangerous pit that poses risks to people and livestock. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism advised the Uukwambi Traditional Authority not to renew their environmental clearance certificate due to massive environmental damage, and rehabilitation has not yet begun despite promises last year.

    21 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 15 May

  1. Poaching suspect charged with perjury after recanting torture claim

    A poaching suspect in custody in Omusati Region has been charged with perjury after admitting he lied when alleging he had been tortured by NDF, NamPol, and Environment Ministry officials on 28 April. The charges against the officials are likely to be dropped following the retraction.

    15 May 2026 · Informanté →

Environment ministry — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute