The Cagole River, is degraded due to deforestation, fires, and unsustainable agricultural practices, much to the disadvantage of local communities and smallholders, who depend on it.
The SUSTAIN Pro project, an initiative of the International Union for Conservation (IUCN) in partnership with the District Administrator of Báruè, community leaders, partners of ADEM-Agencia de Desenvolvimento económico de Manica, SDAE-Servico Distrital de Actividades Economicas and members of the local community, planted trees to build ecological resilience.
The IUCN said the restoration of this area was identified as a priority by community leaders and validated by the Biodiversity Assessment and Restoration Opportunities Report, which also highlighted the urgency of restoring the source of the Inhazonia River and the Serra Choa, the later classified as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA).
Davide Franque, the District Administrator of Báruè, said the protection of springs and riverbanks is not only an environmental necessity, but also a legal obligation provided for in Mozambican legislation.
He also said community and private sector involvement is important, in ensuring the restoration of the Cagole River is sustainable in the long term.
Maria Matediane, the Project Manager of SUSTAIN Pro from IUCN Mozambique office, said the restoration aligns with the integration of biodiversity conservation into economic growth.
“In addition to the environmental impact, the initiative creates direct benefits in the coming of the families by introducing a Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) scheme. This will encourage the Cagole water spring guardians, members of the Natural Resources Management Committee (NRMC), to protect and maintain the planted trees.”
SUSTAIN Pro is a NORAD financed program implemented by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Partnership with Manica Economic Development Agency (ADEM) and coordination with the Provincial Director of Agriculture and Fishing (DPAP).
Picture: Olavia Mazivila