Human-animal conflict: Government calls for reflection on land planning policy – AIM

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Human-animal conflict: Government calls for reflection on land planning policy – AIM

9:10 CAT | 05 Oct 2022

Photo: Administração Nacional das Áreas de Conservação

The Mozambican government is calling for a deep reflection on the establishment of a land management plan, which could prohibit local populations from building homes inside restricted areas for wild and endangered animals breeding.

This call comes at a time when wild animals tend to migrate away from their natural habitats due to drought, floods and other climate related phenomena.

That’s one of the reasons the Director General of the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), Celmira da Silva, says that a debate on the development of wildlife is a matter of outmost urgency.

“Let there be a reflection on territorial planning policies. The management plan is of outmost importance to relocate people and leave wild animals where they can circulate at will,” said Celmira da Silva, this Monday (03), in Maputo, on the sidelines of the African Wildlife Consultative Forum (AWCF), a five-day event hosted by Safari Club International (SCI).

According to Da Silva, recent legislative reforms place Mozambique as one of the countries with the most harsh penalties for poaching.

Da Silva also mentioned the need for better coordination among countries in the region with a view to stopping the slaughter of endangered species.

READ: Mozambique: Poacher sentenced to 30 years imprisonment

“Our law condemns from the perpetrator, cover-up and the accomplice, therefore, everyone who is in the chain of sale of protected species. In addition, we work in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), and other entities. This is to say that we are well organised in terms of wildlife security”’ she stressed.

As members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mozambique has to take the same stance on the issue of endangered species,” so we are saying that we will continue to protect all endangered animals”.

During the event, the forum will discuss how to better protect endangered animals on game farms, and outside conservation areas.

Mozambique is a member of SCI, a club that brings together people who have a natural passion for wildlife. The body chose Mozambique to celebrate the organisation’s 20th anniversary, having passed the chairmanship of this body from Botswana to Mozambique for a one-year period.

In November this year, Mozambique will take to the COP-19, which is scheduled to be hosted by Panama, the main decisions taken for the protection of endangered species.

Deputy minister of Land and Environment (MTA), Fernando de Sousa, representatives of the SADC Safari associations, the Attorney General’s Office, the Mozambican Tax Authority, among others attended the event.

Source: AIM