The Sperrgebiet is an area in southwestern Namibia, where extensive diamond mining has taken place since the early 20th century. For security reasons it has been an access-restricted area since that time. As part of the Namib Desert, it also boasts pristine landscapes and is part of an area of globally significant endemic biological diversity, the Succulent Karoo biome. Because of the restricted access, it has remained an undisturbed wilderness area with few parallels in the World. However, pressure from the mining industry to look for commodities other than diamonds is ever increasing, since the mineral potential is high. The tourism sector also has an increasing demand for the use of this national asset. The relevant Namibian ministries have therefore decided to produce a land use plan for the area, which contains recommendations for future land use options, and also provides for various zones within the Sperrgebiet with adequate protection and conservation status.