Biodiversity and the Ancestors. Challenges to Customary and environmental law case studies from Namibia, by Manfred O. Hinz and Oliver C. Ruppel

Biodiversity and the Ancestors. Challenges to Customary and environmental law case studies from Namibia, by Manfred O. Hinz and Oliver C. Ruppel.

Biodiversity and the Ancestors. Challenges to Customary and environmental law case studies from Namibia, by Manfred O. Hinz and Oliver C. Ruppel.

The study of Manfred O. Hinz and Oliver C. Ruppel, Biodiversity and the Ancestors, explains the challenges to customary and environmental law case studies from Namibia. Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Minister of Environment and Tourism of Namibia, introduces the study:

Oliver C. Ruppel  

It is a pleasure for me to preface this timely exposition of case studies on customary law, biodiversity and the protection of the environment in Namibia. It is estimated that approximately 27,000 species of animal and plant life disappear from our planet every year. The issue of biodiversity conservation deserves serious attention because the irrevocable loss of species threatens the very basis of human life. Biological diversity provides the foundation for human basic needs such as food, water and other natural resources. A multitude of drugs and a wide range of industrial materials are derived directly from biological resources. Since Namibia signed the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992, the preservation of biological diversity has become a focus of environmental policy and legislative considerations. However, biodiversity conservation in Namibia has its roots not merely in the legal provisions issued in the last decades, but rather in the centuries¬ old customs of the people. This book shows, in an impressive manner, that an arc can be spanned between legislative efforts on global, regional, national and local levels and traditional methods of maintaining the environment and biodiversity.

This publication describes the legal foundations of biodiversity conservation in Namibia and serves as a useful guide to the broad range of provisions directly and indirectly relating to the protection of biological diversity. On the global, regional and sub-regional level, relevant conventions are described. On the national level, the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia as the supreme law of the country, as well as national policies and enactments and customary laws applied by the traditional communities of Namibia are analysed in terms of biodiversity conservation.

The case studies assembled here provide a unique insight into the practises and customs of people living in traditional settings. The publication will, therefore, be a valuable source of information and guidance for lawyers, anthropologists, students, policymakers and all those members of the public interested in environmental concerns, biodiversity conservation and customary law in Namibia. I wish to thank all who have contributed to the book and assisted in making it a reality. I highly recommend this book to be used in our schools and tertiary institutions.


Table of contents of Biodiversity and the Ancestors. Challenges to Customary and environmental law case studies from Namibia:

Preface
The contributors
Editors' note
Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
Note on the use of words in African languages
List of photographs
Map of Namibia

PART I: LEGAL PROTECTION OF BIODIVERSITY IN NAMIBIA

Legal protection of biodiversity in Namibia
Manfred O Hinz and Oliver C Ruppel
1 Biodiversity in perspective
2 The global level
3 The African and regional level
4 The national level (I): Constitutional foundations and policies
5 The national level (II): Statutory enactments and bills in preparation
6 The protection of biodiversity under customary law
7 The BIOTA framework, research design and assumptions

PART II: LAND

Land allocation and the protection of biodiversity: A case study of Mbunza
Tulimeke M W Koita
1 Introduction
2 The protection of land under Mbunza customary law
3 Conclusion

Disputed land: Owambo cattle farmers in Ukwangali
Julia Mushimba
1 Introduction
2 Background
3 Socio-cultural factors behind the conflict
4 Eviction orders
5 Conclusion

PART III: GRASS

Grass as a natural resource: A case study of Uukwambi
Ntinda Mbushandje
1 Introduction
2 Grass and Uukwambi customary law
3 Conclusion

Overgrazing and grazing rights: A case study of Ovitoto
Ray-wood Mavetja Rukoro
1 Introduction
2 Grazing: A common right?
3 Conclusion

Farming in a politically divided community: A case study of Berseba
Philanda Blockstein
1 Introduction
2 Remedies against overgrazing
3 Conclusion

PART IV: MEDICINAL PLANTS

Medicinal plants: A case study of Uukwambi
Victory H Gabriel
1 Introduction
2 Healing with herbs: Relic of the past?
3 Conclusion

PART V: FISH

The catching of fish under Uukwambi customary law
Tomas M Nekongo
1 Introduction
2 Fish swim in water: Water is life
3 Conclusion

Fishing among the Topnaar: An expropriated tradition
Clever Mapaure
1 Introduction
2 Sea and land: Sacred gifts
3 Sustainability through tradition
4 Customary inter- and intragenerational equity
5 Conclusion

PART VI: TREES

The protection of trees: A case study of Otjombinde
Vetu Uanivi
1 Introduction
2 Trees under threat
3 Conclusion

Kiaat trees for wood-carving: A Kavango case study
Ainna Vilengi Kaundu
1 Introduction
2 When the last tree has fallen
3 Conclusion

Forest conservation and the role of traditional leaders: A case study of the Bukalo
Community Forest
Mwendekwa Muhongo
1 Introduction
2 Community forest in progress
3 Conclusion

PART VII: FINDINGS AND THE WAY FORWARD

Findings and the way forward
Manfred O Hinz
1 Summary of the findings
2 Biodiversity and the ancestors
3 The way forward

List of field notes
Koita
Mushimba
Mbushandje
Rukoro
Blockstein
Gabriel
Nekongo
Mapaure
Uanivi
Kauridu
Muhongo

Bibliography
Appendix I: Constitution of the Nyae Nyae Conservancy
Appendix II: Bukalo Community Forest Management Body Constitution
Appendix III: Maps of the areas studied


This is an extract from the book: Biodiversity and the Ancestors. Challenges to Customary and environmental law case studies from Namibia, by Manfred O. Hinz and Oliver C. Ruppel.

Book title: Biodiversity and the Ancestors
Subtitle: Challenges to Customary and environmental law case studies from Namibia
Editors: Manfred O. Hinz and Oliver C. Ruppel
Namibia Scientific Society
Windhoek, Namibia 2008
ISBN 978-99916-40-84-6
Softcover, 17x24 cm, 252 pages, 5 bw fotos, 13 maps

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