Namibia
Namibian eco-tourism project praised

afrol News, 21 August - Environmental groups praise an eco-tourism project in the almost deserted mining town of Uis in Western Namibia. Young entrepreneurs have brought Uis from economic disaster in 1990 - when the ancient tin mine closed - into new life and the possibility of becoming part of a new World Heritage Site.

When the tin mine closed down in November 1990, the historic mining town of Uis was in danger of becoming a ghost town. With their heritage an untapped resource, a group of entrepreneurial young men, linked into the growing eco-tourism industry to pull their community out of decline. IUCN, the World Conservation Union, today praises these efforts as an example of "another way that works."

he tin mine at Uis linked to Dr. Paul of the German Colonial Society, who discovered the deposit in 1911. The Namib Tin Mines Ltd - owned by German interests - mined the deposit between 1923 and 1930. Economic depression, war and unclear ownership caused several interruptions in mining until Imkor Tin Pty started mining in 1958. Imkor gradually enlarged the mine until the 1980s and invested substantially in the infrastructure of Uis. 

When Imkor closed down production in 1990, only small-scale tin mining by local people in numerous small pits continued. With Swedish aid, a very small plant has been installed to maintain some production. 

Tin is however becoming a less and less important resource basis in Uis, even if the historic setting of the old tin mining houses now creates a major factor behind the recovering town's attractivity. Another resource definitively is the stunning natural and cultural landscape to which Uis is becoming the entrance port, and where tourist guides from town are making their new income.

The Brandberg - "Burning Mountain" - right on the town's doorstep, is a nominated World Heritage Site with some of the most revered rock art in Africa - including the famous White Lady. Up to 60 carloads of tourists are now taken to see this site during peak season.

A local non-governmental organisation, the Namibia Community Based Tourism Association (Nacobta) helped to establish the Dâureb Mountain Guides - local guides who are now custodians of the Brandberg and The White Lady. 

One person from every household in the conservancy is employed in the enterprise on a rotational basis and 10 percent of the profits are put into a community development fund, IUCN reports from Namibia. 

Uis, therefore, is already profiting from the new industry brought into life by the local entrepreneurs. Local infrastructure - such as a supermarket, petrol station, a recreation club and single quarters - which earlier belonged to the mining company, have been bought by local resident. 

More and more of the old mine houses are also being sold as holiday cottages. Uis thus seems to become an established holiday resort among Namibians to the profit of local residents. International tourism might follow with the possible establishment of the World Heritage Site. 

The Dâureb Mountain Guides are one of the eight Southern African enterprises being showcased at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in August as part of an initiative of the Southern African IUCN. The IUCN was profiling these eight entrepreneurs "in the hope of showing the world that there is indeed another way that works when it comes to sustainable development," the group says in a statement.

Sources: Based on IUCN, NamibWeb.com and afrol News

 

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