The seminar for the induction of the members of the 9th legislature of the Mozambican Parliament took place between the 17th and 19th February 2020 and, in this context, on the 18th the discussions were around issues related to the conservation of biodiversity, with a view to broaden and facilitate the dissemination of information on the problem of climate change, at a global level and its incidence in countries like Mozambique.

BIOFUND took the initiative to propose the issue to the Portuguese Parliament, its materialisation being the result of a joint work with the National Administration of Conservation Areas and partners such as USAID/SPEED+, WWF, UEM, FNDS, and World Bank, with financial support of  USAID/SPEED+ and European Union.

For an hour and a half there was a succession of presentations held by: Abdul Magide Osman, BIOFUND’s Board Chair , who spoke on “Climate Change, Impact and Responses”; Alexandra Jorge, BIOFUND’s Programme Director, presenting movies on “The Importance of Biodiversity”; Mateus Mutemba, ANAC’s General Director, reporting on the “National System of Conservation Areas” and relevant legislation; and Carlos Serra, an environmentalist, speaking on “Cities, Sensitive Ecosystems and Resilience to Climate Change”, closed the cycle.

In his presentation, which served as a baseline to the session, Magid Osman stressed the fact that Mozambique is located in an area of the globe where the effects of climate change are most sensitive, with many cases of loss of territory due to rising sea levels. He explained that since this is a problem that has no simple answer, what is required is a revolution of collective mentality. Every government´s action must have a climate change response component.

Carlos Serra’s intervention, dramatically illustrated the impacts of climate change that are already sensitive in various parts of the country and underlined the fact that human action, such as the destruction of mangroves and the occupation of dunes and wetlands, affecting coastal ecosystems, is contributing to the worsening of the situation. In his view, the laws already exist but are little publicised and need further implementation.

Reacting to the different presentations, Ms Telmina Pereira, from Frelimo party, highlighted the fact that it was the first time she had heard so objectively about the impact of climate change in Mozambique. She stressed the need for an urgent response and recalled the important role that she plays in educating minds, such as through parliamentary days. She suggested a greater sharing of information but with the caution of using a more simplified language in order to better reach communities.

For its turn, Mr Venâncio Mondlane of Renamo party said that in his view the big problem with biodiversity conservation is not the behaviour of communities but that of individuals from the ruling classes who ostensibly ignore, for example, the ban on building in wetlands, particularly in mangrove areas. Mondlane has proposed rethinking the penalties for environmental crimes, which often, because of their scale, should enter the scale of crimes against humanity.

The session established that, already outside the induction programme for Members, BIOFUND will organise new activities to update information and deepen some of the issues raised.

The Government of Mozambique through the National Administration of Conservation Areas, ANAC, carries out from 10 to 16 February several activities to mark the commemorations of World Pangolim Day, which is celebrated internationally on the third Saturday of February, this year on February 15.

The activities that take place with the support of partners such as USAID, through the SPEED+ Project, WWF, BIOFUND, NATURA, WildAid, WCS and Gorongosa National Park, include lectures at two primary schools in Maputo city, photographic exhibitions about the pangolim, projection of film, in addition to debates promoted with the purpose of raising awareness of society on the urgent need to protect that mammal which is, according to the World Wildlife Union, the most trafficked in the world.

Speaking at the event to launch the celebrations, the Director General of ANAC, Mateus Mutemba, revealed that 31 cases of frustrated trafficking of pangolins were recorded throughout the country during the past year, targeting the Asian black market. In view of the growing scenario of cases, Mateus Mutemba, reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Mozambique in the protection of animals including pangolin, a fact that translates, among other activities, into the improvement of the legal framework and control of illegal exploitation of wildlife resources.

Aligning in the same tuning fork, Director of Protection and Surveillance Services of ANAC, Lopes Perreira, revealed that in the last 16 years there has been a significant increase in cases of trafficking of pangolim, with 2019 being the worst year of trafficking of mammals, where from February to July, 48.9 tons of pangolim were confiscated by the authorities.

Sensitized by these growing numbers, Gorongosa National Park, PNG, created the Pangolim Rehabilitation Center to care for pangolins rescued from animal trafficking operations. António Tonecas, a veterinarian assigned to Gorongosa National Park, revealed that 31 pangolins were recovered and reinserted into their natural habitat.

USAID’s National Director, Jennifer Adams, assured that the American people remain committed to the fight against animal trafficking, including the African pangolin. As a result of this commitment, USAID works with the government to develop different legal instruments to train prosecutors, judges and inspectors in technical knowledge about the procedure in cases of animal trafficking.

Following society’s awareness activities on pangolin, the Mutumbela Gugu group presented a play on the importance of pangolin in the ecosystem that urges the population to quickly report cases of transport, hunting and marketing of the mammal.

The students of Eduardo Mondlane Primary School, on the outskirts of Maputo City, were enthusiastic about the play as well as the lectures that took place in that educational institution.

“It was a different and creative way of teaching us about the importance of pangolim,” confessed António Pinto, a seventh grade student at that school.

Márcia Moisés, a student who has never before heard of and seen pangolim, praised the initiative.

“I learned that we have to denounce it at the police station whenever we see someone trafficking the pangolin,” said the sixth grade student.

It is on display from 13 to 16 this week in Baia and City Mall, in Maputo city, a photographic exhibition that portrays the pangolim. Another photographic exhibition will be on display at City Mall in the lower part of the city.

Around EUR 283 thousand is the amount of the first disbursement that BIOFUND will make to support the translocation of animals and the reinforcement of inspection patrols in the Gilé National Reserve by the end of the second quarter of 2020.

The amount referred to corresponds to the first instalment of direct support to the consortium between the Gilé Reserve administration and the IGF. This is the materialisation of the actual start-up of the activities of the PROMOVE Biodiversity Programme, after the final approval of the grant contract between the European Union and BIOFUND, in the amount of EUR 10.2 million, at the end of 2019.

Around EUR 3.5m will be disbursed during 2020 to finance the Gilé National Reserve, the First and Second Islands Environmental Protection Area and Mount Mabu in the context of the PROMOVE Biodiversity programme. The overall objective is to protect biodiversity and contribute to the improvement of the livelihoods of rural communities in the areas of coverage through the sustainable management of natural resources in the target areas in Nampula and Zambezia provinces in Mozambique.

In this context, three public tenders will be launched in 2020 for APAIPS, Mabu and Gilé grants, with the latter only concerning the community development component.

It should be remembered that the Programme’s goal is to achieve the following results:

• To implement initiatives and strategies for the sustainable management of natural resources and conservation of biodiversity, around target areas;
• Improve the livelihoods of local communities living within or outside conservation areas, biodiversity in a sustainable manner; and
• Conduct and disseminate specific participatory research and studies on natural resource management to influence management, and policies at local and national levels.

BIOFUND received with deep sadness the news of the death of JOSÉ DIAS DOS SANTOS MOHAMEDE, Administrator of the Gilé National Reserve, one of the Conservation Areas with which it has been collaborating closely, as one of the first beneficiaries of the Abelha Project (support to Conservation Areas – AFD/BIOFUND funding), as more recently one of the main beneficiaries of the Program Promove Biodiversity (European Union funding). JOSÉ DIAS’ contribution to the consolidation of the National System of Conservation Areas is unmeasurable: JOSÉ DIAS was a member of the founding team of Quirimbas National Park (PNQ) and the National Administration of Conservation Areas; he left with us the legacy of creating one of the largest Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) in the world, the Rovuma TFCA linking Quirimbas, Niassa Reserve with Sellous and Siringuetti in Tanzania. JOSÉ DIAS’ bravery in combating poaching and illegal logging will always be remembered with nostalgia.

JOSÉ DIAS dedicated most of his life to the cause of conservation, always with great professionalism, commitment, determination and humility.

Let us send our condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues and the Mozambique conservation group.

BIOFUND’s Board of Directors approved this Wednesday, 11th of December 2019, the doubling of the institution’s budget for 2020, from about USD 4.6 million to USD 8.4 million, of which about 5.6 million USD will be allocated to support Conservation Areas and Environmental Protection.

This coverage will represent significant growth considering that, since its public launch in 2015, BIOFUND has disbursed around US $ 3 million to strengthen the Conservation Areas law enforcement capacity. One of the highlights in 2019 was the additional support for Conservation Areas affected by Idai and Keneth cyclones.

A substantial part of this financing activity comes from BIOFUND’s own resources, from income based on its endowment of about $35 million, resulting from a substantial contribution from the German Development Bank (KFW), the Mozambican government through Global Environment Fund (GEF) and Conservation International.

The board meeting focused primarily on aspects related to its investment strategy and the 2020 business plan, highlighting the growing need to drive awareness on the required protection of marine areas in the context of climate change.

“The coming year will be marked by the entry of new donors such as the European Union, the solidification of innovative financing mechanisms and the implementation of a structuring program that aims to strengthen the capacities and skills of professionals in the Mozambique´s National Conservation Areas System (SNAC), train and motivate qualified young people to engage in conservation leadership” said Luis Bernardo Honwana, Executive Director of BIOFUND.

Remember that BIOFUND is a national private foundation created as a long-term solution to ensure sustainable funding of Conservation Areas, following the norms of the best international practices for Environmental Funds, enshrined in parameters of the CFA (Conservation Finance Alliance) – which recently underwent an independent institutional assessment that highlighted the positive performance of this institution.

This was one of the findings of the COMBO project (2016-2019) evaluation held under the theme Conservation, Impact Mitigation and Biodiversity Offset in Africa, in a partnership between Nature Conservation Society (WCS Mozambique), Biotope and Forest Trends.

The COMBO Project is BIOFUND’s main partner in implementing the Biodiversity Offset Program entitled “Harmonizing Economic Development and Biodiversity Conservation in Mozambique” which has been   collaborating with the Government of Mozambique to develop legal, technical and financial mechanisms to support the implementation of the mitigation hierarchy including biodiversity offsets.

The initiative supports the development of government policies aimed at achieving no net loss or net gain in biodiversity by improving mitigation of the impacts of development projects in Mozambique, Madagascar, Uganda and Guinea.

The final evaluation meeting was held on Ponta do Ouro village in Maputo, from 4^th to 8^th of November, with the participation of more than 50 representatives from governments, civil society, the private sector and multi and bilateral agencies working in Mozambique, Madagascar, Uganda and Guinea and allowed  sharing and exchange of experiences on the challenges and lessons learned during the implementation of the COMBO project in each country, discussions of potential future activities and field visits to potential . biodiversity offsets pilot project implementation areas. It also served to highlight the relevance of environmental funds for the implementation of the concept in question.

The project was crucial in boosting the development of public policies for the implementation of the mitigation hierarchy in Mozambique, Madagascar, Uganda and Guinea. It has created a knowledge and learning platform on the theme based on local knowledge and capacity. implementing countries.

And it is in this context of collaboration with the COMBO Project that BIOFUND is seen as one of the environmental funds with a key role on biodiversity offsets implementation within the African Environmental Funds Network (CAFÉ) awakening the relevance of the concept to environmental funds as a financial mechanism to support biodiversity conservation, culminating with the establishment of a technical group for biodiversity offsets based in the CAFÉ network, currently involving about 17 African countries.

According to Denise Nicolau, coordinator of BIOFUND’s Biodiversity Offset program “the imminent continuity of COMBO is an important example of collaboration between WCS, Government and BIOFUND and is a great result to be capitalized”.

BIOFUND is committed to continuing to implement its Mozambique Balancing and Biodiversity Program by 2023 with financial support from the World Bank through the MOZBIO 2 Project, UNDP through the BIOSFAC Project and USAID / CPI and in partnership with national and international stakeholders, including the COMBO Project in case of continuity in Mozambique.

Mozambique Biodiversity Exhibition

“Visiting the exhibition was a unique opportunity to complement my knowledge about the biodiversity of Manica and Mozambique, with particular emphasis on the endemic species of flora,” said Chilasse Salvador Fernandes, a young graduate in Ecotourism and Wildlife Management by the Superior Institute of Manica, during the last edition of  BIOFUND’sbiodiversity exhibition.

Mozambique is home to a rich flora with 6500 plant species, of which over 300 plant species are on the IUCN red list and 22% are endemic, a terrestrial fauna with 726 bird species, 171 reptile species, 85 amphibians (of which 28 are endemic) and 3075 insect species.

It is in this scenario that in 2011 the creation of BIOFUND – Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity, a nonprofit mozambican privateorganization, gained momentum with the perspective of adding sustainability to the financial support of biodiversity conservation areas in Mozambique.

Since its public launch in 2015, one of BIOFUND’s decisions has been to address the so-called underlying causes of biodiversity loss. Among other things, the need to improve civil society awareness of the importance of biodiversity was identified among the priority aspects, especially on young people.

It was then in 2015, in Maputo, at the time of its official launch, that BIOFUND decided to embrace the dream and launched what is considered the largest itinerant biodiversity exhibition in the country.

Chilasse Salvador represents the voice of the 13,000 people who had already the opportunity to witness this great journey which in five years has reached half of the provincial capitals of the country and involved over 120 schools plus about 200 national and international partners, as well as a number of young college students and future teachers who participate as guides at every edition, with the potential to become future conservation leaders in Mozambique.

This long walk has illustrated, using different technologies and tools, Mozambique’s rich marine, aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity. Within the CAFÉ network this is the largest initiative of environmental awareness promoted by an environmental fund.

Surrounded by communities within and around 7 Conservation Areas, members representing the beneficiary communities were unanimous in stating with enthusiasm during the Vozes da Terra seminar on 25^th and 26^th of November that the project Mozbio has significantly improved its self-sustenance conditions.

The event was organized by the National Fund for Sustainable Development (FNDS) and the National Administration of Conservation Areas with the support of BIOFUND, aiming to provoke a discussion about community development in Conservation Areas in Mozambique, creating a knowledge and learning base for future interventions.

Edison Rwodzi, IUCN / Micaia Foundation / Eco Micaia consortium technician, one of the service providers of the Mozbio project in the Chimanimani National Reserve, mentioned some of the community projects developed in areas such as ecological agriculture, agroforestry, commercial agriculture and beekeeping focusing on improving production techniques, network expansion, value chain evolution and business plan development. He noted that the projects, in addition to benefiting thousands of members of the communities involved, trained a considerable number of community leaders and enabled women to improve their levels of empowerment. Another highlight was the range of environmental education activities, with emphasis on the involvement of environmental clubs inserted through schools and beyond. In the case of Chimanimani, the examples of benefited communities include: Tsetsera, Mussapa, Phedza, Nhahedzi, Mahate, Mpunga, Zomba, Gotogoto, Macoca and Maronga.

“I am a member of the Commercial Agriculture Association, my specialty is the production of reno potatoes, beans and garlic, thanks to the improvements I had with the support of the Mozbio project, today I was able to increase my income and buy 4 heads of cattle”, Rainha Sevene Macaute – member of Chimanimani Farmers Association. Rabeca Manuel, a member of the Chimanimani Beekeepers Association, said, “Thanks to the Mozbio project, my community already has a fixed buyer for all production and also knows what the best environment for honey production is,” and praised the project Mozbio.

It is recalled that the MozBio 1 project was implemented by the National Fund for Sustainable Development between 2015 and 2019, with funding from the World Bank, and one of its components supported the community development of 7 Conservation Areas, namely: Quirimbas National Park, National Reserve do Gilé, Chimanimani National Reserve, Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, Limpopo National Park, Maputo Special Reserve and Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve. In these different areas, although with different approaches, it was noticeable that the project ended up generating considerable impacts and with a strong possibility that they would last beyond 2019, according to representatives of the various communities.

The seminar featured a Fair and Exhibition of beneficiary Conservation Areas and project implementation partners. Approximately 200 participants were present, including members of the beneficiary communities, Conservation Areas administration, District Governments, service providers, academics, conservationists, investors.

In this partnership scenario, BIOFUND’s participation in this event included an exhibition with about 18 panels illustrating some of the critical habitats and species of the country. The exhibition room was also the venue for demonstrations of the importance of BIOFUND’s virtual library as a repository of information of biodiversity in Mozambique. At the same time, the BIOFUND stand included a mini photographic exhibition that sought to create a reflection on the importance of fishing resources for communities and the dilemma of sustainable fishing and hunting. The opportunity also served to inform dozens of young people present about the Mozambique Conservation Leadership Program and the great interest in attracting them to the conservation sector.

Important to note that BIOFUND was also one of the beneficiary institutions that received institutional support from MozBio 1 project, which has additionally contributed to channel and disburse about US $ 3 million to support operational costs to 11 Conservation Areas, between 2017- 2019.

BIOFUND, in partnership with the Mozambican Association for Environmental Impact Assessment (AMAIA) and the Government of Mozambique, represented by the Provincial Directorate for Land, Environment and Rural Development of Nampula (DPTADER), held between 28 October and 1 November 2019 the Training in Ecological Impact Assessment, Environmental Management Plans and Monitoring, for around 32 technicians from various Government institutions at Nampula province level, civil society organizations and the private sector involved in the environmental impact assessment process.

The main objective of this training was to train the various technicians in key aspects of environmental impact assessment on ecology and biodiversity component level, management plans and environmental monitoring in development projects. The training will allow them to improve their ability to apply national legislation and international best practice of the mitigation hierarchy according to the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation (54/2015).

This training program was composed by the Training Module 1. Ecological Impact Assessment and Mitigation Hierarchy developed by BIOFUND and partners in 2017 and provided by AMAIA environmental impact assessment specialists.

The trainers highlighted the key aspects of the legal framework for ecological impact assessment, the process of categorization of development projects, application of the mitigation hierarchy and guidelines for creation of standardized environmental permits following international best practices.

Using an interactive training model, during the training the various direct, indirect and cumulative impact assessment procedures and mitigation measures were discussed in working groups using as an example the various development projects underway in the country.

This capacity building activity was funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) through the BIOSFAC Project under the BIOFUND Biodiversity Offset Program and is part of the Foundation’s efforts to promote measures aimed at harmonizing economic development. and the conservation of biodiversity in Mozambique.

Challenges in the financing of Marine Protection Areas was the theme of the meeting between representatives of BIOFUND, WWF and Conservation Finance International, during the last week of 21-25 October 2019, in the United States of America.

Represented by Luis Honwana, Executive Director, Sean Nazerali, Director of Innovative Financing and Anabela Rodrigues, Member of the Board of Directors, BIOFUND shared its experiences and plans on combining the use of traditional financing tools and the application of innovative mechanisms such as the use of endowment revenues and an adequate implementation of the Mitigation Hierarchy and Biodiversity Offset, among others, which are expected to be useful for financing the Primeiras e Segundas Environmental Protection Area.

In addition to the meeting with WWF, the Mozambican delegation shared with the Global Environment Fund part of the progress achieved recently. This meeting was attended by representatives of the World Bank TNC and USAID. Highlights the presence of George Ledec, chief scientist of the World Bank, who in 2016 led the process of drafting the roadmap for the implementation of an Aggregate Biodiversity Offset System in the Country. Meanwhile the World Bank through representatives from their delegation in Mozambique to the conservation sector recognized the important role that BIOFUND has been playing in the implementation of its strategies.

The Mozambican delegation was quite happy with the results of the various meetings held in Washington. According to the Innovative Financing Director, the delegation had the opportunity to talk to the Conservation Finance team about the possibilities of trying to create a Partnership for Permanence program for Mozambique. The first experience of this type of initiative took place in Brazil, through the ARPA program, and essentially aims to create a fund lasting approximately 20 or 30 years to transform conservation areas. For Sean Nazerali, Mozambique has several advantages in building a fund with this approach, one of which is that it has already completed a financial needs assessment of requirements to change the level of consolidation of conservation areas.

BIOFUND has learned that the Conservation Finance Alliance as part of its 10-year review is preparing a series of case studies including one on Mozambique. It is expected that this activity can contribute to the international visibility of this Mozambican foundation which currently has 4 years of operational existence.

The process of establishing the management conditions of the Primeiras and Segundas Environmental Protection Area (APAIPS) has taken a significant step with the establishment of local housing for the Administrator Ricardina Matusse from October 2019.

These conditions will enable Ricardina Matusse, APAIPS’s first administrator, appointed by ANAC in December 2018, to be able to fully start her duties and to establish the remaining conditions for the operation of APAIPS’s administrative headquarters in the city of Angoche, Nampula province. This ANAC presence on the ground is important to reinforce and expand coordination and collaboration activities, with other actors already working in this Conservation Area.

This logistical support was made possible by BIOFUND’s financial resources resulting from the annual income from the endowment (long-term invested capital fund, where only its annual income is used) donated by Conservation International, specifically for the long-term support of this Conservation Area of great biodiversity and biological wealth.

APAIPS was made official by Decree No. 42/2012 issued on 12 December 2012.

One of the main reasons that motivated the creation of APAIPS is the fact that it is a large system of marine influence where a large “deep reef range” develops and in some places surface, with great richness in biological diversity being an integral part of the East African Marine Eco-Region from southern Somalia to the Kwazulu-Natal coast in the Republic of South Africa (RAS). This area of environmental protection ensures the integrity of the connection between coastal and marine habitats, physically and ecologically, with emphasis on:

• Mangrove forests along the various estuaries;
• Seagrass beds;
• Coral reefs;
• Large sand banks forming part of Sofala Bank;
• Water gradients from the coast to depths of over 1000 meters in less than 25 to 35 km from the coast harboring various plant and wildlife species

Due to its ecological importance, APAIPS is an area that can bring environmental social economic benefits to the communities within it, and their effective involvement and permanent supervision by the authorities is important.

The French Embassy in Mozambique and BIOFUND co-organized, at the Franco Mozambican Cultural Center, between 21st and 24th of September 2019, the first edition of the Terra Nossa event, around the motto “Crossed look between human beings and the ocean.”

How can we think together about the future of our planet Earth and how to reconcile human activities and nature to build a more sustainable world – were the questions that guided the activities and the search for answers in order to strengthen the debate and reflection on the climate change action and environmental issues in Mozambique.

The first edition began with a beach clean-up journey coordinated by AMOJOF on September 21st, followed by an exhibition of panels and photographs on Threatened Biodiversity in Mozambique, which lasted until the 30th, inaugurated by the Ambassador of France, David Izzo, and BIOFUND´s Executive Director Luis Bernardo Honwana.

One of the central points of the event was the broadcasting of the Mother Ocean documentary, produced by Bitonga Divers Asscociation, followed by a round table taking into account the dilemma on “How to reconcile economic and human activities and the preservation of marine biodiversity in Mozambique”, moderated by Sean Nazeralli, BIOFUND’s Director of Innovative Financing. The debate was attended by Anabela Rodrigues, WWF Director, Miguel Gonçalves, Maputo Special Reserve Administrator, Felisberto Manuel, Pescamar Director and António Sacramento, Bitonga Divers / Ocean Revolution member.

According to Anabela Rodrigues, there was a study conducted in 2010, indicating that over 4.8 to 12 million tons of plastic were found under the sea worldwide. The same study pointed out that over 35% of turtles, 90% of 186 species of seabirds, 17% of a specific shark species, 18% of tuna and swordfish ingest microplastics.

The roundtable was attended by almost one hundred people, including representatives of government institutions, non-governmental organizations, civil society, teachers and students from the Francisco Manyanga, French and Portuguese schools.

In general, as a mitigation measure, the present public pointed as a solution an intervention of schools in the mobilization and support in reducing the use of plastic and the creation of movements between schools in the struggle to reach some preservation goals from the creation a culture of conservation and education about the country’s resources;

Another problem raised was the issue of illegal fishing, Anabela Rodrigues defended that the communities in many cases value the zones of sealing even in extreme times, as is the case of cyclones, finding alternative forms of subsidence. However, according to her, significant cases of illegal fishing with significant impact persist. Miguel Goncalves, on this subject, drew attention to the fact that artisanal fishers are not the only actors and that the impact of industrial fishermen on resource dynamics must also be analyzed.

In its turn, some of the audience asked the representative of Pescamar, a company that is a member of one of the largest fishing groups in the world, present in Mozambique, about the reasons that limit the use of TED (turtle exclusion device) to minimize the capture of sea turtles and beyond.

Felisberto Manuel argued that the approval of the TED legislation in Mozambique was made without certain previous studies and that some data indicate that the responsibility for the capture of sea turtles is related to trawl fishing. He stated that the institution he represents has already tried the use of this technology and was unsuccessful. According to him, Pescamar operates essentially in Sofala Bank, an area that considers that there is no significant risk of affecting protected species, a position partially countered by the Ponto do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve Administrator and WWF Director. But it emphasizes that, in general, the country needs to do more for the protection of the environment and that at Pescamar there is a concern to invest in boats that have less impact on the ecosystem.

In addition to the debate session, the event included film sessions with environmental content, educational games and guided tours. The event was attended by more than 3 hundred people.

The Embassy of France has the ambition to continue to organize an annual environmental event aiming to keep raising awareness on the importance of environmental protection for the sustainable economic development of Mozambique.

BIOFUND has as its third strategic pillar the promotion and consolidation of a favorable environment for conservation in Mozambique. In this context, this Foundation has been seeking to raise awareness among civil society about the importance of biodiversity, as well as to promote and facilitate discussions and information sharing.

The Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development, through the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), in partnership with USAID’s SPEED + Project, is in the process of preparing the Proposed Professional Hunter Regulation.

This legal instrument will provide rules for the exercise of sport hunting activity in the country for  the Professional Hunters and beyond. It will also ensure a sustainable use of wildlife resources, always keeping the tourist hunter and other players safe, according to international sport hunting standards.

In view of the relevance of the legal instrument and in order to submit it to the public participation process, all interested parties are invited to attend a Public Consultation Meeting to present the content of the Proposed Regulation, and obtain the contributions to its finalization.

The Public Consultation Meeting will be held at 8:30 am on October 3, 2019, at an unannounced venue.

The Draft Rules are available on the following web pages:

• www.anac.gov.mz
• www.speed-program.com
• biofund.org.mz

Comments and observations may be sent by October 6, 2019 to the following email addresses:

• contacto@anac.gov.mz
• samiromagane@yahoo.com

For organizational reasons, participation in the event is by registration, during normal business hours, through the following contacts:

Av. 10 de Novembro, Praceta 1196, no. 40, Bairro Central, Maputo- Mozambique

• Tel: +258 21 302 362
• Fax: +258 21 302 373
• E-mail: contacto@anac.gov.mz

231 bird and 42 mammal species, including a bat new to Mozambique, were among the species found over a two-week period

More than 1,000 animal and plant species have been discovered by researchers in a section of the Chimanimani Conservation Area, including a number of species new to Mozambique and several species potentially new to science.

The findings followed a two week biodiversity survey in late 2018 in the understudied Chimanimani Conservation Area in Manica Province and underscore the importance of protecting this rich, biodiverse landscape from threats including mining and logging.

As well as the birds and mammals, the team (which consisted of visiting specialists and students of the Gorongosa BioEd MSc programme) found 42 species of mammal, 231 species of bird, 22 species of amphibian, 45 species of reptile, over 450 insect and 176 plant species. One bat species is believed to be new to Mozambique and one frog, one lizard, and a bush-cricket are believed to be new to science. Several species of animals were recorded for the first time in Mozambique.

Within Chimanimani the unique combination of different altitudes, soils, rain and fire has resulted in a high level of endemism, especially in flora. This Conservation Area as a whole has a critical role to play in the functioning of ecosystems over a wide area but faces land use conversion pressures in its buffer zone. As a result, stewardship efforts are focused on preventing encroachment and safeguarding the integrity of the site.

“The findings demonstrate how important Chimanimani is to biodiversity in Mozambique and to global conservation science. It is critical that threats to the landscape, including illegal mining, as well as poaching, logging and damaging agricultural practices are tackled so we can protect this unique landscape for generations to come”, said Lionel Massicane, Warden of the Chimanimani National Reserve.

An area within the Moribane Forest Reserve in the buffer zone of the Chimanimani National Reserve was found to be home to a number of unique species, a finding which further reinforces the importance of protecting the remaining lowland evergreen forest in the country.

The Reserve plays a vital role in the culture of local communities, its mountains having been inhabited for centuries and containing important historical sites including Stone Age rock paintings and ruins dating back to the Great Zimbabwe era of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Together with the Chimanimani National Park in Zimbabwe the Reserve constitutes a transboundary protected area covering around 1,000 km².

The biodiversity research was carried out under the auspices of the Chimanimani Biodiversity Census Project supported by Administração Nacional das Áreas de Conservação (ANAC), Fundo Nacional de Desenvolvimento Sustentavel (FNDS), Fauna & Flora International (FFI), Gorongosa Restoration Project and MICAIA Foundation, with funding from the World Bank’s MozBio1 programme through The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND).

Notes to editors:

Established in 2011, the National Administration for the Conservation Areas (ANAC) is a state institution responsible for the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable development of the country’s ecotourism. Its main activities are the planning, coordination and execution of activities in the conservation areas, in partnership with local organisations and communities. The conservation areas, administered by ANAC, represent around 25% of the national territory, including 7 National Parks and 7 National Reserves, and 70 game hunting areas divided in 20 official game reserves, 9 hunting blocks, 13 community projects and 31 game farms.

For press enquiries contact: Elias Matsinhe (elias.matsinhe@anac.gov.mz)

The Reserve, managed under ANAC, was created in light of Decree 34/2003 (19 August), with the main objective of safeguarding the protection of the biodiversity-rich ecosystem, floral endemism and conservation importance of the Chimanimani massif. Chimanimani, including the headwaters of various rivers, Mount Binga (the highest point in the country) and the historical-cultural heritage of the region, has a total area of 2368 km². This comprises of a core protection area of 683 km² and a buffer zone of 1,685 km². This is a transboundary conservation area (Mozambique – Zimbabwe), located in central Mozambique, Manica Province, Sussundenga District, covering the Rotanda, Mouha and Dombe Administrative Posts.

FNDS is a public legal entity with legal personality and capacity, with administrative, financial and patrimonial autonomy, under the supervision of the Minister responsible for Land, Environment and Rural Development. FNDS arises from the global need for the adoption of sustainable development models that provide for the emergence of multilateral financing funds in compliance with the new UN-approved Sustainable Development (SDG) targets, with emphasis on climate change. The objective of FNDS is to promote and finance programmes and projects that guarantee sustainable, harmonious and inclusive development, with particular emphasis on rural areas.

For press enquiries contact: Leonardo Chauque (leonardo.chauque@fnds.gov.mz)

BIOFUND is a private financial institution with the aim of financing the conservation of biodiversity in Mozambique. With a public utility status its mission is to support the conservation of aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources, including the consolidation of the national system of Conservation Areas.

For press enquiries contact: Joaquim Adriano Govene (jgovene@biofund.org.mz)

Gorongosa National Park is a successful wildlife restoration story; a long-term public-private partnership between the Government of Mozambique and the US non-profit organisation the Carr Foundation. The conservation model balances the needs of wildlife and people by working in four core areas: wildlife and landscape protection, community support, scientific research and sustainable tourism.

For press enquiries contact: Vasco Galante (vasco@gorongosa.net)

MICAIA Foundation is a Mozambican NGO founded in 2009 and working primarily in Manica Province. MICAIA follows a long-term approach to community development and livelihoods resilience, recognising that the pathway away from poverty and vulnerability is a long and difficult journey. The Foundation’s work centres on two main themes: sustainable management of natural resources, and diversification of the local economy. Two further themes, food security and active citizenship, are increasingly integrated and cross-cutting in all work.

For press enquiries contact: Milagre Nuvunga (milagre@micaia.org)

Established in 1903, FFI was the world’s first international wildlife conservation organisation. FFI’s mission is to conserve threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science, and which take into account human needs. FFI’s focus is on protecting biodiversity, which underpins healthy ecosystems and is critical for the life support systems that humans and all other species rely on. FFI is active in more than 40 countries across Africa, the Americas, Eurasia and Asia-Pacific and supports over 140 conservation projects and 320 partners around the world.

For press enquiries contact: Nathan Williams (nathan.williams@fauna-flora.org

September 16th has been celebrated since 1987 as the World Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, in the context of the Protocol signed in Montreal, which promotes the reduction of ozone-depleting gases and in order to raise awareness of the need for planet protection. In allusion, the UN declared the date as World Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

The ozone layer is a gas layer  around the planet that is located at about 20 to 35 km altitude. It is this layer that is responsible for ensuring that all living things on Earth are protected against the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun. Without it, there would probably be no life.

In 1985 a hole in the ozone layer was discovered over Antarctica. CFC synthetic chemicals, used in aerosols, refrigerants, solvents or in the production of rigid packaging foam, were mainly to blame for the destruction of stratospheric ozone. This layer is fundamental for living beings because it absorbs over 95% of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The answer to this problem was the Montreal Protocol.

Nevertheless , the exponential increase in the use of fossil fuels (eg oil and oil products), associated with deforestation, namely by forest fires (with natural trees consuming carbon dioxide) are also among the causes that increase the greenhouse effect.

Several studies indicate among the measures that can corroborate for the conservation of the ozone layer: recycling , preference for environmentally friendly products, reduced consumption of plastics and packaging. It is also referred to as preventive actions, planting trees, reducing car trips, reducing the use of sprays, switching from conventional bulbs to fluorescent ones, and turning off electronic devices when not used.

The network of African Environmental Funds (CAFE) met from September 2 to 6, 2019 in Ouidah city, Benin for its Annual Assembly on the theme of Financial Markets and Portfolio Management for Environmental Funds.

This event is held on a rotating basis among CAFE member countries and in this year, it was held in Ouidah city in Benin, with support and coordination from the West African Environmental Fund (FSOA).

The event was attended by 40 participants including members of CAFÉ, RedLAC – Network of Caribbean and Latin American Environmental Funds, members of the government, bilateral agencies, civil society, media and special speakers to exhibit and discuss markets and financial management of environmental funds, particularly for African funds.

The CAFÉ Assembly them was dedicated to financial market analysis and asset management, environmental fund investment policies, types of funds and their application in the market, investment return, risk management, technical assistance and knowledge regarding the subject.

Also, at this event, a team from the Conservation Financial Alliance presented the 10-year review of implementation of standards and practices of Environmental Funds (CTFs) a process that includes an overview of the implementation progress throughout the years, the future challenges considering the variety of emerging thematic areas.

A field trip complemented the Assembly event through the tourism experience on Lake Ganvié, the most visited touristic site in West Africa, proposed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. This lake is composed of an extensive set of word houses, able to resist to water and climate hazards for several decades, an area of high historical value and with a growing and isolated population predominantly engaged in fishing activity, as artisanal fishing concessions.

The participation of BIOFUND in this event represented an opportunity to learn and exchange experiences on the various areas of intervention of environmental funds. BIOFUND took this opportunity to present its progress in the Biodiversity Offsets Program, particularly on the experience exchange practices that have been taking place under the network as well as the recently propose for the creation of a Biodiversity Offsets Working Group under the CAFÉ Network.

In this event, BIOFUND formally announced the hosting of the 10^th General Assembly of CAFÉ, in September 2020 in Mozambique.

For more information visit the page: https://www.cafeconsortium.org/

It is the title of the documentary presented on August 19th, in Maputo, addressing the efforts of biodiversity conservation in the Gilé National Reserve, as part of the European Union-funded Project aiming at strengthening the financial sustainability and preserving the biodiversity of the Gilé Reserve in the province of Zambezia.

The short film portrays some results that the project has achieved, namely: repopulation of flora and fauna with the introduction of 50 zebras and 50 oxen; reduction of poaching; reforestation and reduction of deforestation; more economic opportunities around the reserve; climate change mitigation and; increasing financial sustainability of ecotourism conservation and emergency zones.

The launch event, was held in the Leite Couto Foundation and included a debate on the issues surrounding the financial sustainability of the Gilé Reserve with a room full of various entities that have been supporting the national conservation areas system, including: BIOFUND, European Union, National Sustainable Development Fund, WWF, WCS, WWF, KfW, USAID / SPEED +, AFD, ANAC, EMU, RNG, RNN; IGF, COSVI, Carbon Sink, and others.

The film highlights areas such as environmental education, sustainable innovation, participation of local communities through the Natural Resource Management Committees and good biodiversity conservation practices. According to Alexandra Jorge, BIOFUND Program Director “the film is a good sample of positive activities being done with the communities around RNG and can be replicated in other projects.”

Gile Reserve is one of the areas that also receives financial support channelled by BIOFUND and in 2018 this organization disbursed almost two hundred thousand dollars to some critical areas to the operation of this conservation area.

BIOFUND, through the Mozambique Conservation Leadership Program (PLCM) will participates from 8^th  to 9^th of September in Kigali – Rwanda in a Conference on Conservation Business with the theme “Environmental Investment – from scarcity to abundance”.

This conference will bring together around 300 participants from around the world, including, CEOs, political leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, innovative conservationists, including a new generation of young leaders to analyze how to ensure economic growth for nature conservation.

The Conservation Business Conference (BCC) aims to catalyze economic development in Africa by bringing together influential leaders to collaborate tangibly around one of Africa’s competitive advantages – its unique biodiversity.

According to the organization of the event, this year’s edition will seek to raise some questions, namely:

• What would it take to make conservation a ‘growth’ industry in Africa?
• What conditions would enable us to move our wildlife and habitat from scarcity to abundance?
• How could nature be one of the key drivers of Africa’s development trajectory–instead of a casualty of development?
• How can conservation attract a greater percentage of African and Global environmental investments?

BIOFUND’s participation in the event will be an occasion to broaden its network of partners and funding for its programs, in particular for its Conservation Leadership Program – PLCM.

For more information about the conference visit: https://africanleadershipuniversity.swoogo.com/bcc_2019/274277

Almost 4000 people had access to the V edition of the largest sample of Biodiversity of Mozambique, between 8 and 17 August 2019, in the city of Chimoio, province of Manica, an event visited by His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic and held in synergy with the all school games.

During the visit, the Head of State challenged BIOFUND to systematize Mozambique’s biodiversity contents and turn the rich contents of the exhibition into a book. The exhibition entitled “The Culture of Conservation and Sustainable Development”  includes a multimedia exhibition, a fair, lectures, film sessions, among other environmental education activities

This year’s multimedia exhibition was held at the Catholic University of Mozambique, Chimoio City, Manica delegation, and consisted of 84 panels illustrating different ecosystems and species, complemented by a screening of about 32 films related to Mozambique’s Biodiversity.

“The visit to the Exhibition was an odd opportunity to complement my knowledge of the rich Biodiversity of Manica and Mozambique globally, with particular emphasis on some endemic flora species,” said Chilasse Salvador Fernandes, a young graduate in Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, by the Superior Institute of Manica.

The event also featured a Fair that was attended by 27 exhibitors, including conservation organizations, educational institutions, private companies, government, projects and local artisans who showed the best of their work and initiatives, between 8 and 10 of August.

The first day of activity was marked by a session in the morning, including a forum entitled “Mining and Water Pollution: Challenges and Solutions” which was attended by 257 people. The success of this event was so evident that, according to the organization of the event, several BIOFUND partners have requested for a future replication in Maputo of the debates hosted in Chimoio.

Also on the first day, the afternoon session was marked by the presentation, by representatives of Chimanimani National Reserve, Fauna & Flora International and Gorongosa National Park, of the results of studies on “Conservation of Biodiversity and Identification of New Species in the Reserve Chimanimani National”. Also noteworthy is the launch of the Map of Arts of Manica, produced by Cine Group with the support of BIOFUND, which is now available in the main tourist sites of the city.

The period from 10 to 17 August, in addition to an Environmental Education Festival at Sussudenga Secondary School, Sussundenga district, which attracted around 1,200 people, included the holding of environmental education lectures in partnership with ANAC, FNDS and EcoMicaia at UniZambezi University and at the all school game accommodation centers: Bagamoio Home, Teacher Training Institute – Chibata and Chimoio Agrarian Institute. As an integral part of the school games program, sportspeople took a guided tour of the exhibition on 15 August.

According to the Minister for Education and Human Development, Conceita Sortane, the exhibition is of such relevance that it provides a clear opportunity to study ways of including its contents at the classroom level and has encouraged BIOFUND to continue to drive these discussions.

BIOFUND had the collaboration of the Ministry of Education and Human Development, National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), Manica Provincial Government, Chimoio Municipal Council, Sussundenga Municipal Council, Sussudenga District Education, Youth and Technology Service ( SDEJTS), educational institutions, the business sector and non-governmental organizations.

This Edition had the particularity of including, on August 9, the launch of the campaign against poaching, marked by the movie “Elephant Defender”, produced by ANAC.

The 18th Conference of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is under way until 28th of this month (CITES)

Convention is the highest political decision-making meeting on the processes for the Conservation and International Trade of endangered Fauna and Flora Species.

Several decisions and resolutions are expected to be taken on conservation issues, namely: sustainable exploitation and international trade of wildlife species, including coordination of efforts to combat crime against them.

“CITES is a powerful tool for ensuring sustainable use of wildlife resources and responding to the rapid loss of biodiversity – often called the sixth extinction crisis – by preventing and reversing the decline in wildlife populations. This year’s conference will focus on strengthening existing norms and standards, while while extending the benefits of the CITES regime to plants and animals threatened by human activity.” said CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero.

Mozambique’s participation is being led by the Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development (MITADER) through the National Conservation Areas Administration (ANAC).

A special edition of Mapa das Artes, indicating several touristic and cultural points, as well as aspects about the biodiversity of Manica province, was launched in the city of Chimoio, during the V Edition of the Largest Mozambican Biodiversity Exhibition, under the motto “The Culture of Conservation and Sustainable Development”.

Showing that Manica is much more than the Old Man mountain and Serra do Vumba, the Map of the Arts, produced by the Cine Group Mozambique with the support of the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity  (BIOFUND), allows you to take a trip through the cultural and tourist sites of Manica, interlinked with biodiversity aspects, helping to discover ancient flavours and secrets preserved over time.

First published in 2017, with sights of Maputo, Mapa das Artes circulates and is holding a rich cultural diversity. In 2018, for the first time in partnership with BIOFUND, the platform showed places from Inhambane Province, integrating biodiversity to the tourist poster of Mozambique.

http://bit.ly/mapinhambane

With the release of this edition about Manica, the Director of Map of Arts, Gabriel Borges, says it is a great achievement for the country, as the vehicle allows greater dissemination of tourism and cultural potential.

“We look at the Arts Map as a way of making Mozambique increasingly culturally known, and this special edition of Manica portrays a little about the biodiversity and conservation areas of that region.”

Mapa das Artes is a guide that portrays the tourist and cultural potential of the provinces in which it is present. In addition to being available in physical and free format, this cultural agenda also exists in digital format and can be accessed at https://www.mapadasartes.co.mz

In addition to Cine Group Moçambique and BIOFUND, Mapa das Artes Manica has the support of the National Tourism Institute (INATUR), Fauna and Flora International, ANAC and Mozambique Airlines.

The President of the Republic of Mozambique inaugurated in Chimoio the 5th annual edition of the exhibition “BIODIVERSITY IN MOZAMBIQUE” and congratulated BIOFUND for this initiative, which shows, especially to younger generations, the need to preserve nature to guarantee the future of humanity.

The Head of State visited the 90 panels exhibited in the amphitheater of the Catholic University of Mozambique, and talked to over two dozen exhibitors at the fair about conservation activities that accompany the exhibition, encouraging them to continue and expand their work. The Head of State also watched the screening of Elephant Defenders, marking the launch of an international campaign against poaching, promoted by ANAC.

With the subtitle “Conservation Culture and Sustainable Development” the Exhibition aims to raise awareness among society and, in particular, new generations, about the importance of biodiversity in Mozambique. The exhibition focuses particularly on the province of Manica and the landscape of the Chimanimani National Reserve, known for the endemism of various flora and fauna species.

The exhibition will be on display at the UCM amphitheater until August 17 and will also feature 32 documentaries on the country’s biodiversity in attached rooms. At the same time, several lectures on environmental issues are being held at the student´s accommodation centers linked with the 14th edition of the all school games.

The Head of State’s visit was preceded (on 8 August) by a discussion forum attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Human Development, Armindo Nuvunga. The forum served to address the problem of mining and pollution of aquatic systems in Manica province, with emphasis on artisanal gold mining, which often has harmful consequences for biodiversity, mainly due to mercury contamination of rivers. Also in this forum were presented the results of the largest biological survey of fauna and flora of the Chimanimani National Reserve, lecture by young masters students of Gorongosa National Park and the administrator of the Chimanimani National Reserve.

Also within the scope of the Biodiversity Exhibition on August 10, an environmental education event was held at Sussundenga Secondary School, in partnership with Chimanimani National Reserve, District Government, FNDS / Mozbio 2, Fauna and Flora International, EcoMicaia and Gonazololo Association, an event that involved about 1200 students and residents of the village of Sussundenga.

This activity included lectures, drawing contests, film projection, educational games, recycling of paper, plastic and metals, among other activities. Students who excelled in the activities of drawing, poetry and recycling  were awarded. The event also includeda 500 tree planting project launch in Sussundenga district.

It is estimated that by the end of the fourth day of the Biodiversity Exhibition, over 2500 people will have participated in the event, including visitors from other parts of the country.

BIOFUND Mozambique has heard with sadness of the passing away of Claudia Sobrevila of the World Bank. Claudia was a great friend of Mozambique and BIOFUND, and was instrumental in encouraging, supporting, and guiding our institution in its earliest and most critical days. We would not be the institution we are today without her, and she will be deeply missed. Our condolences go out to her immediate family, and to her enormous extended family around the world.

Thank you.

Mining and Water Pollution, was the theme of the forum held this Thursday, August 08^th, at the Catholic University, delegation of Manica, in the context of the V edition of the Mozambican Biodiversity Exhibition, entitled The Culture of Conservation and Sustainable Development (see aqui the detailed program of this activity).

The event was attended by His Excellency Deputy Minister of Education and Human Development, Armindo Nuvunga, who highlighted the relevance of the event to the formation of young people. For its part, he called for the massive participation in the event, during the 10 days, of the approximately 2000 students who are part of the XIV edition of the school games taking place simultaneously in Chimoio.

The presentations were preceded by a film that addressed the issue of gold mining in Mozambique, which, like the forum’s different presentations, highlighted issues such as land and landscape degradation, river and stream pollution and siltation, child labour, among other harmful aspects.

Isidro Manuel (PhD), geologist and associate professor (UEM), member of the panel, highlighted the negative impacts of informal mining and the need to formalize artisanal mining activity in order to strengthen coordination, legalization, strengthening concept of designated areas and the use of good practice to minimize the impact of the damage that this activity may cause to the environment.

Other Mozambican experts contributed to the event, especially the panel which also included: Tomás Muacanhia, UniZambeze; DinisJuízo (PhD), Associate Professor – Hydrology and Water Resources Management (UEM) and Dr. Joaquim Langa, ITC-F representative.

However, on August 10th, a cycle of lectures (see the program) will begin, which will take place throughout the week, from August 10th to 17th.

At the same time, other environmental education initiatives are scheduled, highlighting the event scheduled to take place in Sussundenga (see the detailed program of the event)

Until the 30th of August, the first research grant contest is underway for elaboration of researchprojects for undergraduate and master’s levels conclusion, related to multidisciplinary areas that are directly linked to specific and selected needs of Conservation Areas.

This pilot initiative will cover priority research topics in conservation areas, including the Maputo Special Reserve, Zinave National Park, Limpopo National Park, Gorongosa National Park and the Cape San Sebastian Total Protection Zone.

The contest was launched in the context of the Mozambique Conservation Leadership Program (PLCM) which aims among other things to motivate and attract young students to the conservation system.

Interested candidates may obtain the terms of reference through the BIOFUND website (https://www.biofund.org.mz/projects/programa-de-lideranca-para-a-conservacao-de-mocambique-plcm/).

Applications should be submitted via the following email address: plcm@biofund.org.mz

For more information on the PLCM, please refer to our web page: : https://www.biofund.org.mz/projects/programa-de-lideranca-para-a-conservacao-de-mocambique-plcm/

Between the 8th and 17th of August, in the city of Chimoio, the largest exhibition on Mozambican biodiversity will take place, an event organized by BIOFUND, entitled “The Culture of Conservation and Sustainable Development”. The purpose of the event is to disseminate information about Mozambique’s rich biodiversity, with particular focus on the province of Manica.

The official opening of the exhibition will be made by His Excellency President Filipe Nyussi, on August 9, at the Catholic University of Mozambique – Delegation of Manica.

This event also includes a forum for discussion and debate on biodiversity conservation and a fair where local conservation partners will have the opportunity to publicize their projects and achievements, showing the challenges they face in their daily lives.

This is the fifth edition of an itinerant event which, after being launched in Maputo in 2015, in 2016, scaled the province of Gaza, followed in 2017 by the province of Zambézia and, in 2018, the from Inhambane.

• PROGRAMA EXPO BIOFUND 08 to 17 of August
• PROGRAMA EXPO BIOFUND 08 to 10 of August

BIOFUND under the Mozbio 2 Project in partnership with the COMBO Project and the Government of Madagascar held from 7 to 14 July 2019 in the cities of Andasibe and Antananarivo in Madagascar an exchange experience visit on biodiversity offsets with the goal of achieving “no Net biodiversity loss” at the level of development projects.

Biodiversity offsets aim to compensate negative environmental impacts that may result from development projects, particularly from the extractive industry.

The 7-day visit to Madagascar aimed at visiting the Ambatovy mine and promote the exchange of experience and knowledge between representatives of the countries represented. Around 25 participants attended the visit, including members of the government of the environmental sector, conservation areas, mining and oil, private and public environmental funds and private sector.

Madagascar is currently one of the African countries with a largest experience in implementing biodiversity offsets, as it has biodiversity offset projects implemented voluntarily by the country’s two leading mining companies, Ambatovy (one of the largest large tonnage and long-life miners for nickel and cobalt mining in sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean region) and Qit Madagascar Mineral – QMM (ilmenite and zircon mining from heavy sand extraction with a 40-year operational plan).

The exchange of experiences featured a number of workshops including Governance, Policy and Law workshops to minimize the impact on biodiversity in Africa: present and future, Discussion on the objectives of the COMBO Project, Implementation of the Mitigation Hierarchy in Madagascar: Visit from Ambatovy mine field, Discussion on guidelines for implementing the mitigation hierarchy: case of Mozambique and mechanisms for collaboration and funding for the implementation of biodiversity offsets.

This activity fits in with the objectives of the COMBO Project to support Governments, the private sector and civil society in Mozambique, Madagascar, Uganda and Guinea to support each country’s policies and capacity to reconcile economic development and biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. In this context, BIOFUND and the COMBO Project have been collaborating to promote learning experiences between the COMBO Project implementing countries in the implementation of the mitigation hierarchy, and this trip was followed by an exchange of experiences trip held in Mozambique, with the participation of Madagascar and Uganda Environmental funds, Government representatives from Mozambique and Madagascar on biodiversity offsets thematic area.

This visit to Madagascar has resulted in the recognition of the relevance of experiences exchange trips in the promotion of knowledge and consolidation of lessons learned about on the implementation of this concept in the context of each country. This meeting emphasized the relevance of the COMBO Project as well as the role of environmental funds in financing and monitoring biodiversity offset projects, an example already in place in Madagascar.

The above-mentioned initiatives for sharing experiences are in line with the recommendations of CAFÉ – African Environment Fund Consortium where countries exploring offsets schemes should promote training and learning opportunities to strengthen collaboration between the Environmental Funds through this network.

The World Mangrove Ecosystem Conservation Day is celebrated on 26 July. According to UNESCO, it is estimated that worldwide mangrove coverage will have halved in the last 40 years due to coastal development and the impact of climate change.

Mangrove forests are a transitional coastal ecosystem between the terrestrial and marine environment that have specific adaptations to respond to the extreme salinity, wind and tidal cycle conditions to which they are continually exposed.

This ecosystem is the basis for coastal and marine life, mangroves are a key player in combating climate change, contributing to climate control through carbon sequestration, water purification and air. They act against natural phenomena such as cyclones, coastal erosion, floods, rising sea levels, minimizing impacts while providing stability and protection to coastal areas. In addition to providing important timber resources for the communities’ lives, they are the basis for the production of medicines, and nursery for various marine species such as fish, crab and shrimp, considered crucial for the dietary food of coastal communities, the country’s economy and for the balance of the oceans.

Despite their importance, the value of mangrove forests is still poorly known, placing them under great vulnerability not only for the impact of climate change but for the great global coastal economic development.

World Day for Mangrove Ecosystem Conservation leads to reflection on the growing coastal development and the need for active advocacy to strengthen mangrove governance through conservation, preservation, sustainable management and community awareness. about its importance and value.

Mozambique has a relevant role to play in mangrove conservation considering that at least 2/3 of its population lives in the coastal zone and has Africa’s 3rd largest mangrove extension and 13th largest global coverage.

BIOFUND recognizes that mangroves are unique and vulnerable ecosystems and joins the United Nations International Mangrove Day commemorations to increase awareness of their importance and seek sustainable solutions for their management and conservation.

The Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development, through the National Conservation Area Administration (ANAC), in partnership with USAID’s SPEED + Project, is in the process of preparing the Proposed Regulations on Management, Protection and Sustainanble Use of Avifauna.

In view of the relevance of the legal instrument and in order to submit it to the public participation process, hereby all interested parties are invited to attend a public hearing meeting to present the content of the Proposal for a Regulation, and obtain public contributions to its finalization.

The Public Hearing Meeting will be held at 9:00 am on August 13, 2019, at the unannounced venue.

The Draft Rules can be accessed on the following web pages:

• www.anac.gov.mz
• www.speed-program.com
• biofund.org.mz

Comments and observations may be sent by 16 August 2019 to the following email addresses:

• contacto@anac.gov.mz
• bentomcarlos@gmail.com

This was one of the results of the forum held last June 18^th over the theme “The Wonders and Challenges of the Largest Marine Conservation Area of Mozambique”, correlated with the General Assembly of BIOFUND, held at the Montebelo Indy Maputo Congress, Maputo.

The Forum was intended to exchange experiences on conservation efforts in the region, to discuss the various challenges facing its management, particularly associated with the growing economic development in the region, and to explore synergies to promote sustainable development in APAIPS.

The event was attended by representatives of financial entities, members of government, civil society, academy, local communities, private sector and media.

During the debate, aspects related to the dynamics of the APAIPS operation were highlighted, with emphasis on some of the problems that this area of protection is facing, namely: mangrove deforestation due to anthropogenic factors; the mining activity that has changed the environmental conditions triggering and contributing to several environmental problems that alter the balance to the marine environment; the absence of an administrative structure; and the possible occurrence of coral bleaching.

On the other hand, Mateus Mutemba, Director of ANAC, one of the guests of the panel, stated that “the present moment is a very important milestone in the beginning of a new work between different actors, aiming for a more effective management, which began with the hiring and presentation of the APAIPS administrator to partners in the provinces of Zambézia and Nampula. From this moment, conditions are created to coordinate and take advantage of opportunities for development that take into account the different forms of resources in the referred area of protection.”

Below you will find topics and links to forum presentations including a video:

Under the United Nations International Day of Oceans motto – No to Marine Pollution  on June 8^th , BIOFUND, in partnership with the Fisheries Museum and the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries (MIMAIP), carried out a number of environmental education on the importance of coastal and marine biodiversity for the life of living beings.

The oceans constitute about two-thirds of the earth’s surface and contribute in an indispensable way not only to man, but to the entire planet.

– Marine pollution is currently a major danger to the oceans and endangers the survival of various marine species, including sea giants such as manta ray, sea turtle, dugong, dolphin, whale and whale shark – said Narci Nuro de Premegi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries.

BIOFUND through its Biodiversity Exhibition on marine, coastal and aquatic biodiversity illustrated in various panels, photos on sustainable fisheries, lectures on the importance of mangroves to mitigate the impact of coastal pollution on the oceans has sensitized an additional 500 primary and higher education students of the city of Maputo.

The importance of mangrove forests in mitigating the impacts of coastal pollution was also emphasized as well as the various challenges such as climate change, population growth, degradation of the marine environment, loss of biodiversity, pollution and proliferation of plastic garbage that demand urgent intervention of man to guarantee the health of the oceans and the maintenance of resources for the current generation, as well as for the future.

This celebration is taking place at a time when BIOFUND is preparing to carry out, next August 2019, in Chimoio, the fifth edition of the largest biodiversity exhibition in Mozambique, targeting more than 5000 visitors, entitled “The Culture of Conservation and Sustainable Development”

The VII General Assembly of the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) was held in the city of Maputo. The event was held on June 18^th  2019 under the chairmanship of Professor Doctor Lourenço do Rosário and attended by more than 50 representatives of governmental and non-governmental institutions related to the conservation sector. During the session, the members of this body approved the 2018 activities and  finance reports, as well as the plan and budget for 2019.

These presentations included: (i) the foundation’s growth and the assumption of greater responsibilities in new projects such as Mozbio 2 (with World Bank funding), including the implementation of the Conservation Leadership Program; ii) BIOFUND’s contribution to the establishment of procedures for the implementation of biodiversity counterbalances; (iii) the growth of its investment capital; (iv) doubling the volume of BIOFUND disbursements (about US $ 2 million disbursed in 2018) and supporting more than half of Mozambique’s parks and reserves.

“This moment is very important for us because it allows to do an analysis and evaluation of our work, level of execution of our activities and ultimately the exchange of ideas about the path we want to follow. We are happy because our institution helps to reinforce the awareness and importance of biodiversity for the country. We are growing, the impact of our activities is visible, so we want to reinforce the idea that the Foundation for Biodiversity Conservation – BIOFUND is an important pillar in the sustainable development of Mozambique, “according to the program director, Alexandra Jorge.

The VII General Assembly of BIOFUND will take place next June 18, and this year, the theme of the subsequent forum, at Montebelo Indy Maputo Congress, at 5:00 p.m., will be “The Wonders and Challenges of the Largest Marine Conservation Area in the Country “

The Environmental Protection Area of the First and Second Islands Archipelago (APAIPS) covers an area of approximately 1,040,926 ha, along a land area of 205 km, covering the provinces of Nampula and Zambezi. It has estuarine areas, rich in mangrove forests, coral reefs, fish resources and several endemic species of fauna and flora, such as Icuria dunensis, providing a colossal ecological and socioeconomic potential.

Recognizing this value, BIOFUND proposes to hold a dissemination forum that will have the participation of several experts that worked and studied the APAIPS and an exhibition open to the general public.

For more information on the APAIPS, please consult:
biofund.org.mz/biblioteca_virtual

Mozambique hosted the International Crescendo Azul Conference promoted by the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries (MIMAIP) between 23 and 25 May, with BIOFUND standing out with a multidisciplinary participation.

The conference aimed to promote reflection on the management of marine and coastal resources, provide assistance in decision-making and define actions for the realization of a common vision for the sustainable development of the oceans.

BIOFUND was supported by the Biodiversity Offsets Program, funded by the CPI / USAID, and participated at various moments in the conference on the theme “Together for the Enhancement of Mozambique’s Marine and Coastal Biodiversity“. The participation includes high-level debates, a speech on the importance of mangroves in combating marine and coastal pollution, and the exhibition of marine biodiversity in Mozambique.

The event was attended by more than 500 representatives of bilateral, multilateral institutions, governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, academics, local communities and media representatives at the national and international level, with the participation of the Honourable President of the Republic of Mozambique, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, the Honourable President of the Seychelles, Danny Faure, and other representatives of the region.

The Chairman of the Board of BIOFUND, Dr Abdul Magid Osman in his participation in the High Level Panel highlighted the various aspects related to the management of the marine environment in Mozambique and the need to promote sustainable development based on the importance of ecosystems that can promote the well-being of communities.

Under the scope of the event on May 24 and 25 in the Museum of Fisheries, a speech was held on the importance of mangroves for humans beings guided by BIOFUND technicians in order to sensitize young students about the importance of mangroves in the maintenance of the ecological balance of cities and life of living beings, and the exhibition of marine biodiversity illustrated through exhibition panels and photographs representing sustainable fisheries practices.

In partnership with the Eduardo Mondlane University, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Marine Biology, 4th year students took visitors to the exhibition on an incredible tour of the marine, aquatic and coastal biodiversity of Mozambique.

This conference is part of the actions planned by BIOFUND as part of its Strategic Plan and its programs to raise awareness among civil society of the urgent need to harmonize economic development and biodiversity conservation with a particular focus on conservation areas in Mozambique.

BIOFUND participation was supported by the photographer Pedro Ferreira (www.ferreirasphotography.com) in the photographic exhibition on marine life on the stand of the Joaquim Chissano Conference Center and the Environmental Educator and photographer Mário Ngonga who collaborated in the speech and photographs exhibition on sustainable fisheries held at the Fisheries Museum.

World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on the 5th of June every year, and is the United Nation’s principal vehicle for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of our environment.
First held in 1974, it has been a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging environmental issues from marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime. WED has grown to become a global platform for public outreach, with participation from over 143 countries annually.

Each year, WED has a new theme that major corporations, NGOs, communities, governments and celebrities worldwide adopt to advocate environmental causes. This year the chosen theme is: “Air Pollution”

BIOFUND also marks this date in the context of the celebration of the day of the oceans with an exhibition at the Museum of Fisheries, scheduled to run until 8 June.

For more information: https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories

BIOFUND will take part of “Growing Blue” conference, organized by the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, between May 23 and 25, this year at the Joaquim Chissano Conference Center and the Fisheries Museum in the city of Maputo.

The initiative of the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, aims to promote the integration of the development of the oceans economies in the framework of sustainable Blue Economy, taking into account the robust scientific and technological knowledge.

BIOFUND, on May 24^th and 25^th, will provide a voyage to the oceans world through an exhibition of marine biodiversity. “Together for the Valorization of Fisheries and Marine Resources in Mozambique, is the theme that will be illustrated in panels and photographs around items such as sustainable fishing, the importance of mangroves, among other aspects. The thematic will also be addressed at Joaquim Chissano Conference center on May 23^rd and 24^th

Biofund aims to drive visitors to a reflection on the pressure that the marine ecosystem is undergoing because of the human activities that directly affect the oceans. The exhibition will focus on the richness of underwater biodiversity in Mozambique, which should be protected by its relevance in people’s lives and ecosystems.

The theme of the conference will be “Sustainable and Shared Ocean Exploration”, with discussion sessions being organized around various topics, with emphasis on topics such as Governance and Ocean Sustainability;

Simultaneously with the activities mentioned in the above paragraph, in the amphitheater of the Museum of Fisheries, an exhibition of films with themes related to marine ecosystems is scheduled, in order to alert the public of the importance of the preservation of the oceans.

BIOFUND in partnership with the Pedagogical University (UP), held on 22 March, World Water Day, a debate on water management in urban environment in Mozambique, with the aim of raising awareness about the management of this indispensable natural resource to the life of all living beings.

The event took at Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy of the Lhanguene University Campus of Pedagogical University and gathered around 200 students, teachers, public, private organizations, civil society and media.

Under the motto of the United Nations for the year 2019 Whoever you are, wherever you are, water is your human right, Professor Gustavo Dgedge – lecturer at UP, stressed that water management is a permanent challenge and that we all have a role to play to ensure the sustainable use of this natural resource.

During his speech Professor Dgedge reiterated that the environmental catastrophe that the center of the country is facing points to a profound reflection that integrated management of water resources should be a priority of the country’s development agenda.

Still on this occasion, BIOFUND launched the biodiversity virtual library: an online platform that provides access to over 2200 entries: study reports, scientific articles, educational materials, maps and digital files about biodiversity in Mozambique.

This initiative is part of BIOFUND’s effort to promote knowledge and increase environmental awareness of society and it was supported by its partners such as Counterpart International / USAID and the COMBO / WCS Project.

For more details access the Virtual Library at: https://www.biofund.org.mz/biblioteca_virtual/

BIOFUND in partnership with the COMBO Project held between 18 and 20 February 2019 in Maputo City, Mozambique an experience exchange workshop for Environmental Funds of Madagascar, Uganda and Mozambique members of the consortium of African environmental funds (CAFÉ) on biodiversity offsets as a mechanism to harmonize economic development and biodiversity conservation in Africa.

Biodiversity offsets are conservation measures to compensate negative environmental impacts that may result from development projects such as large-scale agricultural and extractive industry projects.

About 20 participants attended the event, including representatives of the environmental funds, public institutions in the conservation sector of Mozambique and Madagascar, representatives of civil society, multilateral agencies and the media.

This event featured a number of working sessions and networking opportunities to share the experiences of each country regarding the implementation of biodiversity offsets as a financial mechanism to support biodiversity conservation. A field trip to Maputo Special Reserve complemented the event, giving participants the opportunity to witness the rich terrestrial and marine biodiversity of one of the most important conservation areas in Mozambique, and hear from its Administrator, Mr. Miguel Gonçalves about the conservation and protection actions that have been carried out in partnership with the Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) among other actors including BIOFUND, as well as the challenges that urban development represents for this region.

This meeting culminated with the agreement for the creation of a dedicated biodiversity offsets working group within the African Funds Network (CAFE). Thus, creating a communication platform for sharing knowledge and experiences among countries with the support of partners such as WCS through the COMBO Project.

This collaborative mechanism will enable Africa to unite efforts, harmonize procedures and document its path towards harmonization of economic development and biodiversity conservation.

For more information visit

• https://www.biofund.org.mz/
• http://combo-africa.org/

Initially shown in Maputo in 2015, in a ceremony presided over by His Excellency the President of Mozambique, in Maputo, the BIOFUND Biodiversity Exhibition was transformed into an itinerant program, so that the first systematic survey of our natural heritage would also be appreciated in other capitals of the country.

The first point visited was the city of Xai-Xai in 2016; the second was Quelimane in 2017 and the third Inhambane in 2018.

The main objective of the exhibition and biodiversity fair is to share information and knowledge about the importance and need to conserve biodiversity in our country, with particular emphasis on the richness, risks and challenges that exist, identifying and involving partners and beneficiaries from different areas of action. The primary recipients of this initiative are teachers and pupils in primary and secondary schools, educational centers and universities, and encourage the participation of the general public.

Watch the videos, follow BIOFUND in this retrospective and be part of the 2019 edition in the province of Manica!

• Maputo, 2015
• Gaza, 2016
• Zambézia, 2017
• Inhambane, 2018: Exhibition Forum

This visit is part of a series of actions to identify qualified institutions for the development of training, coaching and mentoring activities that BIOFUND is carrying out under its Conservation Leadership Program, improving the institutional capacity of the national conservation system; (ii) expanding and improving the recruitment base for conservation institutions; and (iii) encouraging youth in general to engage in voluntary conservation actions at national level.

During this visit, BIOFUND team collected information on the range of courses that SAWC offers from long-term courses to short courses related to biodiversity conservation, and had fruitful discussions with different SAWC teams on possible collaboration / partnership platforms for training personnel in the national conservation area system, young conservationists and general public.

SAWC already has a partnership with ANAC and, in this context, has been training staff from conservation areas in Mozambique.

The team also had the opportunity to visit training infrastructure and discuss with three (3) Mozambican students from the Limpopo National Park, who are currently studying at SAWC, that served as a practical example for assessing the training services that Southern African Wildlife College offers.