Mozambique: Population growth in Bazaruto Park worries authorities

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Mozambique: Population growth in Bazaruto Park worries authorities

6:45 CAT | 16 Jun 2025

FILE - For illustration purposes only.The population of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park has more than quadrupled in four years to 17,000 inhabitants, [File photo: Rádio Moçambique]

The population of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, in southern Mozambique, has more than quadrupled in four years, to 17,000 inhabitants, prompting local authorities to worry about environmental preservation and sustainable management.

“This population growth is a challenge, especially in urban areas throughout the country. And in the park, as a conservation area that in principle should not have people living there, growth does indeed pose a challenge,” said Armando Ngoenha, administrator of that protected area, in the province of Inhambane.

Created in 1971, Bazaruto Archipelago National Park covers more than 1,580 square kilometres along the coast of Vilankulo and Inhassoro districts, including the islands of Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangué.

According to the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) the park was created to preserve dugongs and sea turtles, and its interior features forests and saltwater lagoons, where flamingos congregate.

In order to respond to the population growth in the interior, compared to 4,000 inhabitants four years ago, the administration is reviewing the management plan for the protected area, proposing the creation of specific areas for human occupation.

“And we have decided that some areas will be sacrificed for the populations,” explained Ngoenha, stressing that sustainable coexistence with local communities will be ensured through joint work with community leaders.

The new plan aims to preserve virgin natural areas within the archipelago, a condition that, according to the administration, is essential for the islands to guarantee their status within that national park.

Source: Lusa