Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique (Maputo)
20 June 2009
Maputo — Mozambique intends to learn from the experience of Brazil in combating deforestation, which is now taking on alarming proportions, according to Mozambican Environment Minister Alcinda Abreu
Every year hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest are lost, due to uncontrolled bush fires, often started in order to clear land for farming, or as a method of hunting, and to unlicensed and illegal logging.
According to Abreu, Mozambique will draw from the experience of the Brazilian programme "Bolsa Floresta" (Forest Conservation Grant) which seeks to involve communities in conserving and protecting natural resources, and using them in a sustainable manner, and to encouraging voluntary policies to reduce deforestation.
The communities taking part in the programme receive payment, or are otherwise rewarded for the sustainable use of natural resources.
In collaboration with the Brazilian Fundacao Amazonas Sustentavel (FAS -Sustainable Amazonas Foundation), the Mozambican Environment Ministry intends to design four projects in the areas of the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, climate change, training and capacity building and environmental education.
Recently five of the Ministry's staff underwent training in Brazil in the area of negotiating and drafting projects, and took the opportunity to study the "Bolsa Floresta" experience in the state of Amazonas.
Abreu believes that this programme can be implemented in Mozambique, and could play a role in reducing deforestation and in fighting against poverty. This week Abreu met with a delegation from FAS, led by its general director, Virgilio Viana, which is on a working visit to the country.
Viana visit follows a memorandum of understanding signed by the Environment Ministry and FAS, regarded as a pioneer in reducing the carbon emission that result from deforestation.
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