Banhine National Park, in southwestern Mozambique, lies within the ecological linkage between Zinave and Limpopo national parks, which together are part of the 100 000 km² Great Limpopo transboundary landscape. Peace Parks Foundation has been supporting the revival, restoration, and development of this region for 25 years, and in 2018 signed an agreement with Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas to collaborate on the joint management and development of Banhine National Park.
Sharing the benefits of the Great Limpopo landscape with those living in the areas alongside the parks is vital to ensuring that conservation on this scale succeeds, and one programme that is making an impressive impact is Herding for Health.
Herding for Health is a fantastic community-led programme that addresses the challenges faced by farmers living in and next to protected areas. “The programme focuses primarily on the management of grazing areas”, says Domingos Chemane, Herding for Health Project Implementation Manager. By assisting and sharing knowledge on the best practices for managing grazing areas for livestock, both men and women directly benefit from learning new skills, increased income, and greater livestock and rangeland health.
Improving animal and rangeland management helps precious landscapes regenerate, recharge water resources, and increase biodiversity. In doing so, relationships between the park and the community are strengthened, improving livelihoods, harmonising coexistence and protecting shared natural spaces. This paves the way for advancing the wellbeing of communal livestock farmers, rebuilding ecosystem resilience and carbon sequestration in some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable areas.
Last week, Herding for Health was reaffirmed as a vital model for sustainable development, with Conservation International and Peace Parks committing USD 150 million to restore 20 million hectares across African grasslands, savannahs, and bushlands to be implemented through Herding for Health. The ambitious plan that will be implemented in collaboration with indigenous pastoralists, civil society organisations, and the private sector was announced at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi.
Herding for Health, following a holistic, community-driven approach to address challenges faced by farmers living in and adjacent to protected areas, is helping to secure sustainable conservation at scale. Be a #HerdingHero. To find out more about this game-changing initiative, visit www.peaceparks.org.
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