Latest reports show that Mozambique’s Ministry of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries has launched Africa’s largest mangrove reforestation project.
Blue Forest, a UAE-based mangrove reforestation specialist is also a partner in the project which will see the planting of between 50 million to 100 million trees in the “biodiversity-sensitive” provinces of Sofala and Zambezia across 185,000 hectares of mangrove forests Over the next 30 years.
It is estimated that approximately 200,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions will be offset annually in the long term, equivalent to taking 50,000 cars off the road.
The ministry’s permanent secretary, Xavier Munjovo said that Mozambique has more than 300,000 hectares of mangroves along its coast, which is one of the largest tracts of mangrove forest in Africa.
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While noting that the coastal mangroves have been impacted by high seas and the harvesting of firewood for charcoal, Munjovo hopes the project will “restore our vital mangrove forests for generations to come”.
While Satellite imagery, remote sensors and artificial intelligence will be used to target areas where the need for restoration is greatest, the project will be financed through carbon credits.
Founder and CEO of Blue Forest, Vahid Fotuhi said that Mozambique is a hugely strategic country when it comes to mangrove forests, adding that tens of thousands of people and endless marine life will benefit from this project.
Story was adapted from The National News.
