The Pomene National Reserve is conducting an induction programme from 12 to 15 May in the town of Massinga, Inhambane Province, targeting 25 new staff members recently recruited through the National Agency for Environmental Quality Control (AQUA, IP).

The initiative aims to strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of the new rangers, promoting a better understanding of the functioning of Conservation Areas, professional duties, principles of administrative management, and essential tools for more efficient, responsible, and conservation-oriented performance aligned with biodiversity conservation challenges.

The opening ceremony took place on Tuesday, 12 May, and was led by the Administrator of Pomene National Reserve, Abílio Tamele, who highlighted the importance of the induction for the integration of the new staff members and for strengthening the Reserve’s team. In his remarks, he encouraged participants to make the most of the knowledge shared throughout the training, stressing that this moment represents an important step towards consolidating the professional capacities of staff assigned to the Reserve.

On the first day, sessions focused on Personnel Management and Administration, as well as Occupational Health and Safety, key topics to ensure organised, safe, and responsible performance in the execution of duties. Throughout the remaining days, the programme includes sessions on Conservation Area Governance, Conservation Area Management and Operations, Planning and Monitoring, Safeguards and Gender-Based Violence, as well as Protection and Law Enforcement.

The Protection and Law Enforcement component will also include a practical field activity involving GPS data collection, allowing participants to apply technical knowledge directly related to field operations.

The training is delivered by technicians from the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), as part of efforts to strengthen the competencies of new staff members at Pomene National Reserve.

The activity falls within the implementation of the Biodiversity Conservation Programme, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and coordinated by the BIOFUND, in partnership with ANAC. The programme aims to enhance biodiversity conservation and improve adaptability and resilience to climate change in Mozambique’s Conservation Areas, including Pomene National Reserve.

Through this induction, the Pomene National Reserve takes another step towards strengthening its institutional capacity, creating better conditions for the management, protection, and conservation of its ecosystems, for the benefit of biodiversity and communities that depend on natural resources.