THE Sperrgebiet National Park in the Karas Region will soon be renamed. The Sperrgebiet, which covers 26 000 square kilometres, is the most biodiverse region in Namibia and the Succulent Karoo plant kingdom, of which it is part, supports more species of succulent plants than any other place on earth.
Before the park was proclaimed a national park in December 2008, its scenery had been out of bounds to visitors to protect the diamond industry, as is reflected in the German name Sperrgebiet, which means ‘forbidden area’.
Traditional leaders in the Karas Region have proposed that the park be renamed the Tsâu //Khaeb National Park.
The name was suggested by the !Aman people who live in the area.
“We do not reject the renaming of the park, but preference should be given to the name that was suggested by the !Aman people,” said !Aman chief Dawid Frederick.
Claiming that only “white people” had benefited from the park so far, Frederick said it was high time that those living in the area reap the eco-tourism benefits.
The /Hai-/Khaua chief, Kap-tein Johannes Isaak, supported the proposed name, saying it had historical value.
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Article source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201204050846.html