Also known as: Ministry of Environment and Tourism
Government body that monitors environmental compliance, issues clearances for mining projects, and manages protected species and veld fire response in Namibia.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Ministry of Environment and Tourism advised the authority not to apply for renewal of their ECC due to massive environmental damage
“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 treesInformanté
Environment Ministry were accused of assaulting a poaching suspect in Ruacana
“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 perjuryThe Namibian
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism had officials involved in a joint anti-poaching operation at Etosha
“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 partsThe 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
“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 elephantThe Namibian
Environment ministry shot the elephant but failed to kill it before it ran off
“Environment officials then started looking for the elephant and shot it.”
Elephant victim’s family demands meatThe Namibian
Ministry of Environment and Tourism announced driving between Sossusvlei parking areas will be limited to few operators
“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 operatorsThe Namibian
Ministry of Environment and Tourism is being sought for environmental clearance by NamWater for water infrastructure development
“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 projectThe Namibian
Environment ministry will de-proclaim section of Walvis Bay landfill from Dorob National Park
“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 areaThe Namibian
Environment ministry issued compliance order to stop waste dumping at landfill site
“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 areaThe Namibian
Ministry of Environment and Tourism is urged to adopt collaborative approach to regulating gaming, entertainment and lotteries
“Oshikoto governor Sacky Kathindi urges the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to adopt a collaborative approach to regulating gaming, entertainment and lotteries.”
Oshikoto governor urges gaming, lottery regulationThe 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.
17 hours ago · The Namibian →
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.
17 hours ago · The Namibian →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
The Cabinet has approved a new Green Industries Council, replacing the Green Hydrogen Council after it ended in February 2025. The council will oversee Namibia's broader green industrialisation agenda, focusing on policy coordination, institutional alignment and investment priorities to accelerate industrialisation, economic diversification and job creation.
11 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Competition Commission faces criticism for investigating conservancy tourism partnerships, with the Chamber of Environment calling instead for a probe into Namibia Wildlife Resorts' alleged anti-competitive dominance in national parks. The dispute raises questions about whether competition law is being applied in a way that could undermine the communal conservancy tourism model that supports rural livelihoods and conservation.
7 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has insisted that access to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei remain unrestricted, rejecting a new directive from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism that limits the final 4.5 km stretch to registered tour guides, self-driving 4×4 vehicles, and a concessionaire shuttle service while prohibiting buses and trucks. Since the start of the year, tour operators and the public have accused the ministry of creating a monopoly through exclusive concession arrangements that were initially presented as non-exclusive.
5 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Members of an anti-poaching unit at Etosha National Park have been accused of assaulting and burning a 35-year-old man during questioning in April following a poaching incident. The officials involved are from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Namibian Defence Force, and Namibian Police, and investigations are ongoing.
30 April 2026 · The Namibian →