Ministry provides guidelines to charcoal producers

In an effort to arrest the situation, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has issued safety guidelines ahead of the dry season for the sector, which recorded a growth of 25% in 2020.In 2019, the sector employed close to 10 000 workers, who produced about 200 000 tonnes of charcoal – up from 120 000 tonnes in 2018.Charcoal production also remains an important activity for managing bush encroachment in Namibia, and the sale of charcoal makes a significant contribution to the country's economy.The Namibia Charcoal Association (NCA) says approximately 210 000 tonnes of charcoal were exported in 2020.According to a statement from the director of forestry, Johnson Ndokosho, the safety guidelines for the sector come into effect on 1 May, 2022.They state that in the absence of firebreaks, fire extinguishing equipment and trained workers who can fight fires, production permits will be revoked or will not be renewed.The statement added that a harvesting permit will only be issued once an inspection has verified the availability of resources, that firebreaks are in place and that all the requirements are met.“All charcoal producing farms must have firebreaks of 15 metres wide around the main border fence and kilns must be clustered when burning or be centrally burned at all times,” said the statement.Camps where charcoal production takes place must be surrounded by a five-metre-wide cut line before a harvesting permit is issued and the area around kilns must be cleared by 15 metres of all flammable materials at all times, Ndokosho added.“All neighbours must be informed and they must give their consent in writing before charcoal production starts, and producers must ensure that all access roads within the camps are accessible and gates are not locked before charcoal burning starts.“No tree bigger than 18cm in diameter at the base should be harvested, and burning kilns must be guarded at all times.“The most important principle is to manage and control the area where charcoal is burned. This can only be done if charcoal workers are grouped in an area and burn the wood together.“Supervision of the kilns is of utmost importance and no kiln should be left unattended while there is an active fire in the kiln,” said the statement.According to the latest issue of the Namibia Agricultural Union newsletter, the NCA urges all charcoal producers to arrange for an inspection with forestry offices as soon as possible, to avoid bottlenecks in June.Email: matthew@namibian.com.na