Debris brought by the sea to Mozambique’s coastline poses a serious threat to marine life and the delicate balance of the environment.
Meanwhile, communities struggle to make a living due to scarce employment opportunities.
This PeaceParks.TV episode shares how Maputo National Park’s beach cleaning programme mitigates pollution and conserves marine resources while creating opportunities for locals to generate an income.
Vanessa Muianga, Marine Manager for Maputo National Park, says the programme aims to support community members while raising awareness about the importance of keeping the beach clean.
“By keeping the beaches clean, we ensure the turtles’ safety during nesting season so that there are no incidents with nets or other harmful material that might be found on the beaches. Unfortunately, the sea brings a lot of debris from elsewhere to this region, but these ladies have made a significant impact in this area.”
Otilia Matlhango, one of the four women hired to join the beach cleaning team, says: “This work helps us a lot because it allows us to buy food, clothes for our children and it offers us the opportunity to earn a living, instead of being stuck at home with no means to put food on the table.”
Maputo National Park, managed by Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas in partnership with Peace Parks Foundation, has been working to uplift the communities in and around the park, ensuring both people and nature thrive.
Stay tuned to PeaceParks.TV for more on the ground action.
