The following item from the Windhoek paper New Era was seen on AllAfrica.com at http://allafrica.com/stories/200504220401.html . DZO
Forestry Act in Vernacular New Era (Windhoek) http://www.newera.com.na/ April 22, 2005 Posted to the web April 22, 2005 Windhoek TAKING into cognisance the major part played by people in rural areas with regard to the management of forests in the country, the Directorate of Forestry has launched local translations of the Forestry Act. The translated version of the legislation was launched on Wednesday by the Directorate of Forestry in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry. The translation from English was made into four local languages, namely Oshindonga, Otjiherero, Silozi and Afrikaans. It is mainly aimed at reaching a wider group that is actively involved in conserving forests in Namibia. "Although English is our official language, it is recognised that most of our people are unable to communicate in this language. Therefore, we found it necessary to translate the forestry policy and forest act into different languages that are widely understood by the people," said the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Dr Malan Lindeque. Additional translations in languages such as Setswana, Damara-Nama and Rukwangari are also expected to be done in the near future. The translated versions are meant to inform the various tribal groups about this legislation and they will also be used for educational purposes. However, they will not be admissible in a court of law for legal arguments. The Forestry Act among others underlines laws relating to the management and use of forests and forest products. It also aims at providing protection of the environment and control and management of forest fires, which affect at least a third of the Kavango and Caprivi regions. The involvement of communities in this field would also help them to generate income through communal activities. Bush management is not an easy task especially when one considers the fact that land clearing for agriculture purposes still consists of about four percent of the land surface. This challenge calls for the empowerment of farmers and local communities to manage forest resources on a sustainable basis. Given the task ahead, the Finnish government through the Namibia Finland Forestry Programme handed over assets worth N$7 million in the form of computers, vehicles, trailers, bikes, field equipment and other communication items. This equipment would assist communities their management of community forests. -- ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> In low income neighborhoods, 84% do not own computers. At Network for Good, help bridge the Digital Divide! http://us.click.yahoo.com/S.QlOD/3MnJAA/Zx0JAA/TpIolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AfricanLanguages/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
