Story | 06 Aug, 2020

Mozambique: Maximise planting of mangroves, urges Deputy Minister

Over the next two years the Mozambican government intends to maximise the planting of mangrove trees. Under its "Mangrove Management Strategy" adopted in April and launched on 26th July 2020 the government intends to bring environmental, social and economic benefits to the population.

Photo: IUCN ESARO

Photo: IUCN ESARO

Photo: IUCN ESARO

Photo: IUCN ESARO

Photo: IUCN ESARO

Photo: IUCN ESARO

Photo: IUCN ESARO

Part of this story was originally published on the allafrica.com website

Over the next two years the Mozambican government intends to maximise the planting of mangrove trees, in order to value and preserve the mangrove forest ecosystem, and promote sustainable development.

Under its "Mangrove Management Strategy" adopted in April and launched on 26^th July 2020 the government intends to bring environmental, social and economic benefits to the population.

"The government approved the strategy on managing the mangroves in order to value the activities the country has been undertaking on the sustainable use of these ecosystems. Society must learn to live with nature, taking advantage of it," said the Deputy Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Henriques Bongece.

“To implement in full the mangrove management strategy, 5,000 hectares of mangrove trees must be planted by 2022. Planting should be a permanent activity, involving communities, young people and students, so that they grow up knowing the importance of these trees," Bongece stressed.

Bongece was speaking during celebrations to mark the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.

IUCN joined the Deputy Minister and other NGOs in a number of field activities to mark the day.

Summary of activities:

Photo: IUCN ESARO

Maputo Province: Mangrove replanting took place in the estuary of Matola River led by the Deputy Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Henriques Bongece. A total of 200 mangrove seedlings were planted.

Photo: IUCN ESARO
Mecufi: In Cabo Delgado, the celebration took place in the Mecufi district, with a total of 18 participants, including five women, representing the district Government authorities, Mecufi mangrove nursery association, Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Fisheries, Fisheries Research Institute, AMA and IUCN. The ceremony started off with a debate on the state of mangrove conservation followed by planting of mangrove seedlings.

Photo: IUCN ESARO

Inhassoro: In the district of Inhassoro, the ceremony was held in the village of Chibo and attended by representatives from the local community, representatives from the Mozambican Association for the Promotion and Development of Women, technicians from Provincial and District levels and members of the District Government.

Photo: IUCN ESARO

Dondo: In the district of Dondo, the ceremony were held at the Administrative Post of Savane where a local community based organization (CBO) is developing a mangrove restoration project. The CBO has established a mangrove nursery with approximately 4,000 seedlings. On this occasion 420 seedlings were planted, in areas impacted by cyclone Idai

Photo: IUCN ESARO

Photo: IUCN ESARO
Memba: In the district of Memba, the ceremony was held in the locality of Geba, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of Memba district, Luísa Artur Cunasha, who highlighted the relevance of mangrove planting for the implementation of the current mangrove strategy in the country and for achieving the mangrove restoration goals in the country.