MPs have questioned the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism's capacity to tackle poaching, its effectiveness in dealing with wildfires and its approach to human-wildlife coexistence.

This was raised during the debate of the budget allocation for the ministry of about N$736 million dolars.

IPC Member of Parliament, Michael Mulunga sought clarity from the minister on the state lottery.

"I would like the Honorable Minister to provide this house and the public at large with clarity with regards to this State Lottery. Where has it ended? We have been speaking about it since last year, but up to now we have not seen anything happening with regards to the State Lottery," he stated.

His fellow IPC MP, Michael Mwashindange also weighed in on the ministry's project funding model.

" Why is it that the projects that are funded under a ministry, the projects that are funded through these grants by the international partners, are always completed on time. While the projects that the ministry is funding itself, they are either drastically failed or they are severely delayed," he questioned.

Nelson Kalangula, also of the IPC,.said discussion has been coming for many years on anti-poaching to utilize drones for this inspection and patrols around these conservancies but such talks are yet to bear results.

"How much have you collected so far in terms of these carbon dioxide levels? I know it's a political number, but your ministry is custodian of it, AR's George Kambala wanted to know.

IPC's Immanuel Nashinge said while he appreciates the country's national climate change policy, there is no proper coordination. 

"Perhaps we should look into a unit in the office of the Prime Minister," he suggested.

UDF's Hendrik Gaobaeb

took issue with money spent on amongst others the Etosha national park.

" The first of Etosha, each and every financial year certain amounts, millions are budgeted for. But you will see just a certain piece which is covered during that financial year. I don't know whether there is supervision and monitoring on these projects."

Swapo party's Salomon April raised concern on the management of conservancies, amongst others, while Eneas Emvula of the Landless People's Movement stressed the importance of operational budgets, as they serve as the backbone of a target and output-oriented service delivery.

IPC'S Lilian Lutuhezi flagged the treatment of those digging the devil's claw.

"These women who are digging the devil's clothes are being exploited.They dig up the devil's clothes and then these agents come to them in the raw areas and they buy these bags of devil's clothes for as little as N$200 and then they go out and sell and get thousands and thousands of dollars.That is exploitation," she said.

NDP leader Lukato Lukato said the ministry need to recruit more nature conservation officers in order to carry their duties, functions accordingly, while ICT minister Emma Theofelus took issue with the set up of the country's tourism Industry.

"It seems there are parallel tourism industries in this country, one that is accessible to the previously advantaged communities and one that is not accessible to the non-previously advantaged communities. I say this because there seem to be barriers in the tourism industry especially around certain sectors," she said.

Swanu MP Evilastus Kaaronda bemoaned compensations in human wildlife conflicts.

"The animal human-wide conflict issue where communities feel that whatever compensation is paid to them is not really compensatory," he said.

Responding to suggestion regarding anti-poaching, Environment Minister Indileni Daniel, stated that they have several drones scanning conservancies, as well as surveillance camera's set up in various locations.

In terms of the Environmental Management Act, the minister stated that although it is in effect, there are some loopholes that need to be looks into, as there is no legal framework which can compel or punish offenders.

The minister also responded to concerns raised regarding human/ wildlife conflict.

"That is a very concerning issue. We are working on how to mitigate this and it's true when it comes to compensation, to me I feel there's nothing worth enough to compensate your life but what we are giving is just something to support the family in logistical in terms of burial and all that when a human life," she noted.