Mozambique

Map of South Eastern Africa and the location of Mozambique

Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world; its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2005 was estimated to be US$ 6.6 billion and with a population of 19.8 million, the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita was US$ 310 (World Bank 2005). The majority of the population (63%) live in rural areas, where subsistence agriculture is the main source of employment, and the smallholder sub-sector accounts for about 95% of the area under production (FAO 2005). On development indicators, the life expectancy at birth is 41.8 years, and school enrolment for secondary education 10.8% (World Bank 2004). The social and economic deprivation prevalent in the country is reflected in its low rank of 168 out of 177 countries with data on the UNDP 2006 Human Development Index (HDI). The HDI is a composite measure of life expectancy, educational measures and income (UNDP 2006).

One of the major reasons for this widespread impoverishment is the long civil war that the country faced soon after its independence from Portugal in 1975. The violent fight between the ruling FRELIMO (Mozambique Liberation Front) and the opposing RENAMO (National Resistance Movement), which continued for almost two decades, led to large-scale social upheaval (an estimated 50% of the rural population was displaced) and stalled economic development. It was only after a Peace Accord was signed in 1992, followed by the first multi-party elections in 1994 that stability returned to the country. Gradual economic recovery from a low baseline is in progress.

Sofala / N'hambita

The project is located in the buffer zone of the Gorongosa National Park in the Sofala province, central Mozambique. The area is typical of African savanna and the park is famous for its wildlife and high species diversity.

This location was specifically chosen as the project can provide a buffer for encroachment into the park. During the civil war, many of the rural population retreated into the park and this led to a major degredation of the area and mass hunting for bush meat. The aim is to reduce the disturbance in the park and to discourage others from moving within the park boundaries in the future.

Map of Northern Mozambique and the Gorongosa National Park

The community

Map of the project area and surrounding villages

There are about 500 local households (100,000 people) who live within the 31,000 ha buffer zone. In the N'hambita community a 1997 census recorded 612 people from 102 family units. It is expected that due to immigration into the area, there are now approximately 10,000 people in the community. The town has little infrastructure however a school has been built in the with funds from the German aid organisation GTZ.

The Project is in the catchment of the Pungwe River, which is prone to flooding, August 2004

Map showing the deforestation in the project, and surroundings 1999

This image shows the project area, and the different land cover types in 1999. The total scene has a land area of 67,754 ha. Zones are:

• A, corresponding to N’hambita, Bue Maria and Posta Da Pungwe;
• B, containing Pavua and M’Bulawa;
• C, a buffer zone only sparsely inhabited;
• D, Mucombeze, south of the river Pungue;
• E, also south of the Pungue river, part Mucombeze and part Pinganganga (the latter falls into Manica province).