Forestry

Mission statement

To promote a well-organized forestry sector that is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable, while creating significant and equitable wealth and opportunities.

The core mandate of the Directorate of Forestry (DoF) is to practice and promote sustainable and participatory management of forest and botanical resources in order to enhance socio-economic development and environmental stability.

 Functions

Functions of the Directorate of Forestry are implemented under the following projects/programmes:

1. Development and Implementation of forest policies and legislation:

• Implementation of Forest Act and Regulations
• Implementation of the National Strategy on the Sustainable Management of Bush Resources
• Law Enforcement
• Development and implementation of State Forest Reserve management plans

2. Community-Based Forest Management:

• Sustainable forest resource management in collaboration with communities.
• Facilitation for declaration of Community Forests.
• 48 Community Forests have been declared to date.
• Forest Inventory

3. Tree Planting and Orchards Development:

• Tree seedling production.
• Management of tree nurseries, orchards and woodlots.
• Afforestation/reforestation.
• Commemoration of International Day of Forests (21 March) and National Arbor Day (second Friday of October).  

4. Forest Protection and Conservation:

• Veld fire management
• Bee-keeping and management
• Training community members on bee-keeping and management.
• Relocation of aggressive bee colonies.

5. Forest and Botanical Research:

• Preservation and scientific management of national plant collections, i.e. herbarium collection, seed collection, live plant collection.
• Botanical inventory
• Botanical Garden management
• Restoration and relocation of indigenous plant species
• Forest monitoring and mapping
• Forest & Botanical research
• Plant Identification
• M.A.N.Müller Reference Library
• Awareness creation and information sharing

Director
Mr. Johnson Ndokosho
Tel: +264 61 208 7663/6
Email: Johnson.Ndokosho@meft.gov.na   

Deputy Director: Forest & Botanical Research
Ms. Esmerialda Strauss
Tel: +264 61 208 7327
Email: Esmerialda.Strauss@meft.gov.na   

Deputy Director: Forestry Management (North West Regions)
Vacant
Tel: +264 61 208 7320
Email:  

Deputy Director: Forestry Management (South & Central Regions)
Mr. Michael //Otsub
Tel: +264 61 208
Email: Michael.Otsub@meft.gov.na