WINDHOEK, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's Ministry of Environment and Tourism has upgraded and rehabilitated water infrastructure for rural communities and constructed elephant dams in the north of the country in a bid to mitigate the impacts of the human-wildlife conflict (HWC).

Speaking at the World Wildlife Day celebrations on Sunday in the coastal Erongo region, Minister of Environment and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta reiterated that HWC management remains on top of the country's agenda.

"Our focus has been on the upgrade and rehabilitation of water infrastructure for communities and the provision of alternative water to elephants. We will continue to put mitigation and preventive measures for HWC in place in all affected areas of our country," Shifeta said.

The minister said the country will continue to manage HWC in a way that recognizes the rights and development needs of local communities.

This year's World Wildlife Day was celebrated with the theme of "Life below water: for people and planet."