Mozambique’s National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) has launched a seven-year wildlife conservation project aimed at strengthening biodiversity management while improving livelihoods in communities surrounding protected areas.
The Landscape-Scale Wildlife Conservation and Livelihood Transformation (TRANSFORM) project will focus on the Quirimbas, Marromeu and Gorongosa conservation areas.
The initiative is backed by US$15,4 million (R263 million) in funding from the Global Environment Facility and will target more than three million hectares of priority landscapes.
TRANSFORM will also seek to reduce human-wildlife conflict, particularly in critical areas within Sofala and Niassa provinces, by creating alternative sources of income and improving land-use planning.
“If we can provide families with the opportunity to secure additional sources of income, we can reduce dependence on natural resources and, in doing so, decrease conflict,” said ANAC Director-General Pejul Calenga.
According to UNDP Mozambique Representative Cleophas Torori, the project will focus on four areas:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Combating illegal wildlife trafficking
- Sustainable livelihoods
- Changing attitudes towards biodiversity
