The National Agency for Environmental Quality Control (AQUA) seized 150 bags of charcoal from illegal logging during inspections carried out in the city and province of Maputo, in southern Mozambique. The intervention is part of the authorities’ efforts to curb practices that endanger the country’s natural resources.
According to a statement from AQUA, quoted by Lusa, the seizure took place on the morning of Tuesday, February 3, after a heavy vehicle transporting charcoal without the proper legal documentation was intercepted. The absence of documents constituted a clear case of illegality, leading to the immediate retention of the cargo.
AQUA emphasized that these actions are part of ongoing environmental control and monitoring efforts aimed at reducing the illegal exploitation and sale of forest products. The institution argued that compliance with the law is essential to ensure the sustainability of natural resources.
In the same statement, the agency also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting forests and promoting environmental legality throughout the country. “AQUA remains steadfast in combating illegal practices that threaten environmental balance and sustainable development,” the document reads.
Mozambique loses around US$500 million annually due to practices considered unsustainable in the forestry sector. Among the main factors are illegal logging and slash-and-burn agriculture, which contribute to environmental degradation and significant economic losses.
These figures were released by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that promotes responsible forest management worldwide through forest certification. The FSC also warned of the need to strengthen enforcement and adopt sustainable practices that protect Mozambique’s forest heritage.
