Africa Wild

The Ministry wishes to inform the nation and our visitors that plastic bags are banned in our protected areas (National Parks) with immediate effect.

Legislation (Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1975) was amended in April 2017 to include a new provision that no person shall enter a game park or nature reserve with a plastic bag.

We call upon the sector which includes tour operators and the Namibia Tourism Board to inform and educate their clients or customers on this new restriction.

This ban is specific to plastic carrier bags commonly used for shopping as the amendment makes exceptions to plastics which:

1. Are designed to be used for the disposal of waste;
2. Are designed for agricultural purposes;
3. Are used for sampling or analysis;
4. Constitute, or form an integral part of, the packaging in which goods are sealed prior to sale in the local market or for export; or
5. Are transparent resealable bags.

A person who contravenes this ban is liable to a fine not exceeding N$500 or to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or to both such a fine and such imprisonment.

The Ministry will step up efforts to enforce this ban over the coming months. Namibia’s game parks and nature reserves are areas of outstanding natural and ecological value that are managed to protect their ecological integrity and for the long term conservation of nature.


Source: Ministry of Environment and Tourism Namibia

"Make Nambia Great Again."

Richprins wrote: ↑Sat Nov 24, 2018 9:04 am

We cant ban the bags in South Africa ...Our National Flower will become extinct then... I would surely miss travelling around our beautiful country and miss these beautiful flowers in full bloom in the trees especially the sub species Plasticae Spari , Plasticae KFC, Plasticae Ultra liquoriae ..Eradicate them now!!!!..be like Namibia ..glad to see the German influence coming to the fore there

I just stumbled upon this thread, and even though it's been around for five years, the topic is still so relevant. It's fantastic to see countries like Namibia taking strong steps to preserve their natural habitats, especially given the ecological significance of their game parks and reserves.
For those who are traveling to Namibia or any other place with plastic bag bans, there are alternatives that are both eco-friendly and comply with these kinds of regulations. Over at interplas.com, they offer kraft stand-up pouches that can serve as excellent substitutes for plastic carrier bags. These bags are great for storing food, toiletries, or even souvenirs while you're exploring nature.

Joseph!

Unfortunately not all the countries are like that