On the 29th of March 2023, the Namibia Sustainable Forest Management (NSFM) project held a one-day workshop training on Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) for traditional authority representatives from the Kavango East region in Rundu. The workshop is part of several workshops that are aiming at improving knowledge and skills on SFM among community forest members, traditional authority representatives, as well as multipliers such as youth representatives.
12 traditional authority representatives received a one-day training with the objective of training participants on the concept of SFM using the developed trainer’s manual. The topics dealt with during the one-day training were: Basics of SFM, the role of community forests in SFM, deforestation, forest degradation and climate change, forestry laws and policies/ permits and illegal fencing in communal land of Namibia. Most participants had a dipper understanding on the role of community forests because most of them came from areas with no gazetted community forests, so the topic was an eye opener to them and those who knew the roles gave assistance.
All traditional authority participants appreciated the training for giving them knowledge on SFM, they noted that they will amend the regulations and structures in their community forest committees. After all the topics were covered, participants received their certificate, project t-shirt and seedings to go plant in their homesteads as a reminder to be key players in promoting SFM in their community forests.[gallery ID=53]