WINDHOEK, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's Environment ministry is developing modalities for implementing regulations that will see the restriction or ban of the use plastic bags in the country's national parks, according to an official.
The regulations are not yet being implemented as the ministry is still putting measures and systems in place before full implementation, said Environment Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda in a statement on Monday.
Muyunda said such systems and measures include among others, the provision of waste or plastics disposal bins and proper signage at each park entry gate to inform the park visitors, residents and tourists accordingly and such modalities and an implementation plan will be communicated by the ministry very soon.
"The intention is to ensure parks are clean and free of plastic bags considering their harmful nature to our wildlife and the environment," he added.
According to Muyunda, plastic bags warrant particular attention and regulatory measures to curb their use.
"This is mainly because of their prevalence, visibility, durability and the harmful effects they have on our wildlife, humans, livestock, aquatic biota and the broader environment," he added.
Meanwhile, the Environment Ministry also confirmed that an amendment to the Regulation relating to the Nature Conservation Ordinance, 1974 to restrict the use of plastic bags in National Parks was approved and gazetted in 2017.