The Norwegian government has earmarked 82.2 million meticals (1.3 million dollars) for the implementation of a sustainable mangrove management project in the district of Govuro, in the province of Inhambane. The initiative, scheduled to last four years (2022-25), aims to strengthen community management of mangroves and adapt to climate change, reversing the current scenario of degradation of coastal ecosystems.
According to the newspaper Noticias, the initiative is centred on the recovery of mangrove forests and associated ecosystems, which are essential for the subsistence of coastal communities. Celmira Feliciano, director of the Provincial Environmental Services, emphasised that this is the biggest sustainable mangrove management initiative ever implemented in the country.
The project has already revitalised three Community Fishing Councils (CCP) in the centres of Jenga, Matasse and Chinhumbu, highlighting Govuro as a district with great fishing potential, where fishing is the main source of livelihood for local communities. In addition, two more councils were set up in the centres of Maganzine and Buzene, which promoted the importance of sustainable mangrove management, involving certified divers operating up to 365 metres below sea level.
“The initiative has directly benefited 43 hectares of mangroves, with the planting of 37,000 trees. 80,000 crabs, 60,000 shrimp and 50,000 fish were also introduced to repopulate the restored areas, in collaboration with the revitalised CCPs and local communities,” reads the note.
The Norwegian ambassador to Mozambique, Haakon Gram-Johannessen, said that this project is in line with the objectives of sustainable development, and emphasised the importance of cooperation between the two countries in the environmental area. The district administrator of Govuro, Gilberto Guambe, emphasised that the restoration of the mangroves in Govuro will serve as a model for other regions of Mozambique facing similar challenges of environmental degradation.
