The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) in partnership with Banco Comercial de Investimentos (BCI) offered a tour to the winner of the second phase of the Bio Card campaign, to Maputo National Park (PNAM) on 29th July, 2022.

This is the second visit offered as part of the campaign which is aimed at offering Bio Card users the unique opportunity to visit a Conservation Area. Dilson Muchanga from Maputo province, together with his wife, accompanied by BIOFUND, BCI and PNAM team had the privilege of enjoying a traditional safari through stunning landscapes with diverse species of fauna, with greater emphasis on one of the most emblematic species in the Park, the elephant.

In addition to sightseeing the Park’s rich biodiversity, during the tour the participants had the opportunity to enjoy different experiences on community management of natural resources, especially engaging children and teenagers, with emphasis to the initiatives of Escola Primária Completa de Salamanga, girls’ environmental clubs, planting fruit trees, etc.

Dilson and his wife said “We are excited with the beauty and quietness of this place, for the award we had and especially motivated to protect the environment even more because through this card we can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.”

Alexandra Jorge, Director of Programs at BIOFUND, expressed her happiness with the engagement of the School and the students in the activities of PNAM programs and congratulated the PNAM team for the fantastic work they are doing, which will of course influence the sustainable use of resources for the new generation that is being trained.

For the BCI team visiting the PNAM for the first time, this contact with nature was very important to raise awareness of biodiversity conservation from here!

The Bio Card is the first biodegradable card in Mozambique with over 30,000 users, created in 2017 as a result of a partnership between BCI and BIOFUND, where within the scope of its social responsibility BCI sends a percentage of the annual fee for the use of the card to BIOFUND for biodiversity conservation projects. These funds have already supported the protection of rhinos, Raphia australis (a rare palm species in Bobole) and sea turtles in the Environmental Protection Area of ​​Ilhas Primeiras and Segundas (APAIPS).