The Siya Reforestation Pilot Project is in full swing at Siya Village in Kavango West, where a 32-hectare plot is being used to combat land degradation through large-scale tree planting.

Locals, officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, and representatives from Lignaverda, a Belgian NGO, gathered in Siya to take part in the initiative. Lignaverda focuses on restoring degraded forests, and Namibia is the first SADC country to partner with the organization, alongside Burkina Faso and Senegal.

Lignaverda Country Manager, Selma Nasheya, highlighted the importance of the project, noting that Kavango East and West were once dense forest regions. "As you can see, this area has lost a significant number of trees. The heat we feel here is proof of why restoring natural vegetation is essential," she said.

So far, 2,000 trees have been planted across 16 hectares, which will be irrigated, while the remaining 16 hectares will be left for natural regeneration. The project operates under a 20-year agreement between Lignaverda and the ministry.

"In the long term, these trees will grow to maturity, providing food and fruit, creating economic opportunities for communities, and impacting the local market," Nasheya added.

Chief Forester Jonas Mwiikinghi, speaking on behalf of the Director of Forestry, emphasized the broader benefits of the project: 

 "The area will serve as an educational site for schools and tertiary institutions such as NUST and UNAM. Products from the orchards will be made available to communities through subsidized sales and donations, particularly benefiting local schools. We urge communities and stakeholders to protect these resources for shared benefits."

While Lignaverda did not disclose the project's financial investment, Nasheya confirmed that it has created 100 jobs and funded fencing, a nursery, and a storage facility, among other infrastructure.