- Gondwana Desert Collection/ News



		News 2006News 16.08.06

Nature Conservation breaking new Ground - 16.08.06
In Namibia may well open a new chapter in the history of nature conservation. Representatives of national and private nature reserves, a rural community and a few farmers in the Fish River Canyon area have agreed in principle to establish the Greater Fish River Canyon Complex Association (GFRCCA). A joint plan for nature conservation and for promoting biodiversity was adopted at a meeting held last Friday at Cañon Village, close to the main lookout point at the canyon.

The vision is to establish a unique nature conservation area which extends from the Sperrgebiet in the west to the Klein Karas Mountains in the east, and from the tar road between Keetmanshoop and Aus as its northern borderline down to the Gariep/Orange River in the south – and even further, far beyond the South African border, because there the huge park meets the Richtersveld. If the plan is implemented, game animals will regain a large part of the mobility which enabled them to respond to annual and local fluctuations in the arid Nama and Succulent Karoo’s grazing conditions before the arrival of settlers. The GFRCCA initiative is linked to the larger picture of the cross-border ‘Peace Parks’.

Source: Atlas of Namibia

“The GFRCCA is intended to have advantages for everyone involved”, Dr. Chris Brown, the Director of the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) sums up the goals. Particular attention is focused on the growth-sector tourism: “We can jointly market the region as one of the few extensive nature conservation areas in southern Africa.” Additional income and jobs, which will help to speed up the sustainable development of the rural areas, can be expected when offering accommodation, local tours, arts and crafts, supplying meat, milk and vegetables and last but not least in nature conservation.


		- For a comprehensive story see - www.gondwana-canyon-park.com - For a media release see Media Release