This is a capacity building exercise under objective 1 of the Mozambique Conservation Leadership Programme (PLCM), which seeks to strengthen the skills of the professionals of the National System of Conservation Areas (SNAC). It is taking place in the Southern Africa Wildlife College, in South Africa, and lasts for two (2) months.

Seven professionals from the SNAC are taking part, including one from the private sector and five from the public sector, namely: Talento Luwemba (ranger from Safaris de Moçambique), Gabriel Froi (ranger from the Limpopo National Park), Ussene Abdula (Tourism Officer from the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park), Rodolfo Cumbane (Ecologist at the Maputo Special Reserve), Isolda Chaúque and Shelzia Muchanga, who are both from the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC).

Armindo Araman, Director of Conservation Services at ANAC, stresses that the course will help promote environmental education based on tourism activities aimed at various sectors of the public. “It is necessary to have a team that is trained to interpret, not only biodiversity, but also the communities living around the Conservation Areas”, says Araman, encouraging the beneficiaries to dedicate themselves effectively to the course activities.

The costs of the course and the accommodation of the selected professionals are supported by BIOFUND through the PLCM with finance from the World Bank. After the end of the course, it is expected that the participants will be able to play a preponderant role in promoting cultural heritage, identifying nature-based tourist attraction potential, and leading their work teams on the ground.

For more information about the PLCM and its beneficiaries, click here