Sustainable Success: NILALEG's Integrated Approach Enhances Livelihoods and Biodiversity in Northern Namibia

Environment Ministry Hands Over 20 Boreholes worth N$ 14.1 Million

July 18, 2024

The journey of the Namibia Integrated Landscape Approach for Enhancing Livelihoods and Environmental Governance to Eradicate Poverty (NILALEG) project has always been a tale of resilience, hope, and transformation. Initiated as a six-year undertaking, this project aimed to transform landscape management and promote sustainable livelihoods in Namibia's agricultural and forest landscapes. Supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) alongside the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT), NILALEG sought to tackle the interwoven challenges of poverty and environmental degradation.

In recent years, Namibia has grappled with severe droughts aggravated by climate change. The northern regions, particularly Kunene and Omusati, bore the impact of this crisis, with communities struggling to access clean and reliable water sources. The scarcity of water had devastating effects on livelihoods and severe environmental degradation, particularly affecting women and young children who were often tasked with fetching water over long distances.

To address this critical issue, the NILALEG project, with technical support from the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF), embarked on constructing 20 boreholes across the five target landscapes. This intervention, funded at N$ 14, 138, 391.57 Namibian Dollars, aimed to provide potable water to more than 6,792 people, 805 households, and 34,289 livestock. This effort not only met the immediate need for reliable water sources but also laid the groundwork for sustainable nature-based livelihoods.

The impact of these boreholes was nothing short of transformative. Communities saw a significant improvement in their quality of life. Schools in Omaiopanga and Okongo landscapes began planting vegetables, supplementing their meals and contributing to environmental restoration. In Okongo, women and youth established a community garden, growing vegetables for both sale and household consumption. This initiative provided a source of income and empowered community members to improve their livelihoods actively.

In Omaiopanga, multiple gardens were established, using water from a rehabilitated earth dam to irrigate crops. These efforts demonstrated NILALEG’s holistic approach, integrating water infrastructure with agricultural activities to address environmental degradation and poverty comprehensively.

The visit included stops at several project sites:

Omaoipanga Landscape: Omusati Region

Okatjandja Kozomenje Community Project: Located in Okorosave village, this project improved food security by providing affordable vegetables and fruits, enhancing nutrition, and creating jobs. An earth dam was rehabilitated to provide more water for crops.
Okovingava Community Tree Nursery Project: In Okovingava village, a tree nursery with 400 seedlings was established, benefiting 2,000 members of the Otjindjerese Conservancy.
Community Reseeding Sites: Ten 1-hectare sites were reseeded with perennial grass, benefiting over 3,000 conservancy members. These sites protect grass from grazing during the rainy season and open for livestock during the dry season.

Ruacana Landscape: Kunene Region

Small Stock Revolving Scheme: This scheme provided 220 goats to 20 marginalized farmers, including people with disabilities and youth. It included feed supplements and training in animal husbandry and livestock management.
Ongete Fodder Grass Seed-Bank Demonstration Site: This site planted high-value perennial fodder grass to improve rangeland conditions. The harvested seeds would be sold locally, distributed to farmers, and used in landscape restoration projects.
Ongete Indigenous Tree Seedlings Nursery: Managed by the Etoto Farmers Association, this nursery aimed to produce indigenous tree seedlings to improve soil conditions and re-vegetate the landscape. Horticultural crops were also introduced to boost production and enhance livelihoods.
Gabion Rehabilitation: In Ongete village, stone erosion gabions were built to slow water flow, trap sediment, and prevent gully expansion. These efforts resulted in fertile soil filling the rehabilitated gully, retaining moisture, and supporting new vegetation growth.

“This intervention is expected to provide access to potable water for more than 6792 People, 805 Households, and 34289 Livestock.”

The official handover of these boreholes to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform marked a significant milestone. Emphasizing sustainability, NILALEG established water point committees in the target landscapes to ensure the ongoing operation and maintenance of the water infrastructure. It was essential for communities to take ownership, ensuring the proper management of these critical resources.

During a joint field monitoring visit from July 3-5, 2024, representatives from the UNDP, MEFT, and EIF reviewed the progress, achievements, and challenges of the NILALEG project. This visit aimed to assess the effectiveness of the integrated landscape management approach, evaluate the progress of low-value grants, and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders. The field mission also included a ceremony to officially hand over the constructed boreholes to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform.

a group of people standing next to a fence

" The water scarcity disproportionately affects vulnerable community members, especially women and girls. They endure long walks to water points, facing overcrowding and delays. This limits their participation in education, income generation, and community activities.” Ms. Alka Bhatia-UNDP Resident Representative to Namibia

The official handover ceremony held at the Ombambihaka Village, in the Omusati Region, was attended by key stakeholders from both ministries, representatives from UNDP and Namibia Development Trust (NDT), governors, regional councilors, traditional authorities, community leaders, and community members.

In his speech, delivered by Executive Director Teofilus Nghitila, Minister of Environment Pohamba Shifeta explained that the provision of clean and potable water would improve livelihoods in the communities where the boreholes were installed.

UNDP Resident Representative H.E. Alka Bhatia highlighted the importance of sustainable resource management and the role of the NILALEG Project in achieving these goals. She noted that the provision of water has enabled the communities to establish community nurseries and undertake tree-planting activities in schools.

Deputy Executive Director Elijah Ngurare, delivering a speech on behalf of Minister of Agriculture Calle Schlettwein, expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized the positive impact the boreholes would have on agricultural productivity and community well-being. He committed to ensuring the proper maintenance and management of the boreholes.

Project officer Jonas Nghishidi noted that water scarcity is a critical issue in Namibia, affecting both human populations and agricultural productivity. The provision of these boreholes is expected to significantly alleviate the burden on communities struggling with limited access to clean water and support the agricultural sector, which is vital to Namibia's economy. By ensuring a reliable water supply, the boreholes will help farmers maintain and improve crop yields, sustain livestock, and enhance food security. The boreholes will support 6,792 people directly, impacting 805 households and 34,000 heads of livestock.

As NILALEG progresses, it continues to demonstrate the power of integrated landscape management in transforming lives and protecting the environment. The collaboration between UNDP, the Government of Namibia, and local communities paves a sustainable path to eradicating poverty and fostering resilience against climate change.