The Directorate of Forestry in the Omaheke Region, in conjunction with the Epukiro Community Forest Committee, is conducting a joint operation and awareness campaign on forest preservation.

The campaign aims to educate the community on the importance of forest conservation and how one can acquire a permit for harvesting.

A Senior Forester Officer in the Directorate of Forestry in the Omaheke Region, Vetuundja Kazapua, says it also came out during the campaign that some people have started illegal harvesting of trees in protected areas.

"We should conserve trees. Somehow you came at a time when people were complaining that they were to use the trees or resources to be used in forestry. It's not prohibiting people from benefiting from forest resources; they're promoting the legality and sustainability of the resources, so you can still use them but in a sustainable way for the next generation."

The Chairperson of the Epukiro Community Forest, Uatjavi Tjozongoro, pointed out that if well managed, the forest can improve people's livelihoods, especially in trying economic times.

We can also have in the future an extensive campaign or awareness to sensitise our people out there, we should follow the law with that, and I think the message is put across."

In addition to people gathering fruits and medicines from the forest, livestock also relies on the forest for grazing.