On Tuesday 17 December, the government approved regulations on international trade in endangered species, under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Agência de Informação de Moçambique reported.
Speaking after the end of the 37th ordinary session of the Council of Ministers, the spokesman for that body, Filimão Suaze, explained that the regulation establishes the rules for protection.
The spokesman, who is also Deputy Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs, said that the regulation will also make it easier to control international trade in endangered species of fauna and flora described in CITES.
According to the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), more than 8,400 species of wild fauna and flora are critically endangered worldwide. In 2022, ANAC catalogued around ten thousand species of flora and fauna. The number of plant species stands at 5743, of which 250 are endemic.
ANAC explains that the terrestrial fauna already catalogued totals 4271 species, including insects, birds, mammals and amphibians. Research institutions continue to identify new species.
At the same session, the Executive ratified the agreement for the establishment of the Transfrontier Conservation Area, which covers Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, signed in Harare in July this year.
The agreement was signed by the President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, his Zimbabwean counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and the Zambian Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba.
Covering 38,435 square kilometres, the conservation area encompasses three districts along the Zambezi River in Tete province, namely Mágoè, Cahora Bassa and Zumbo. In Zimbabwe, the area covers the districts of Mbire and Makonde, and in Zambia the district of Luangwa.
Also at the same session, the Council of Ministers approved the regulation on aerial surveys and cinematography for civilian purposes, an instrument that allows studies of land and air resources to be carried out using drones (unmanned flying objects).
The regulation establishes the supply of the respective products to user organisations, applicable to operators operating on national territory, with the exception of natural persons whose activities are for leisure and entertainment or personal purposes.
