As published by Mano Florian in the African Times
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has officially inscribed Mozambique’s Maputo National Park as a World Heritage Site.
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The decision was announced on Sunday during the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, currently taking place in Paris.
According to the organisation, Maputo National Park encompasses terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems and is home to nearly 5,000 species.
The site, UNESCO notes, “complements the conservation values of iSimangaliso (the adjacent South African park), enhancing biodiversity protection across the wider Maputo ecosystem.”
The designation highlights the park’s diverse habitats, which include lakes, lagoons, mangroves, coral reefs, extensive beaches, dunes, swamps, wetlands and grasslands. These environments support a wide range of species, particularly from southern Africa’s marine life, and reflect a long-standing conservation effort in the region.
Maputo National Park shares a border with South Africa’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park, itself already a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It had previously been identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), UNESCO’s official advisory body on nature, as having “outstanding potential” for World Heritage status.
The history of environmental protection in the southern region of Mozambique dates back to 1932, when the area was designated as a game reserve, with elephants among the main species hunted. In 1969, the local biodiversity’s significance led to the area being reclassified as the Maputo Special Reserve.
Years of civil conflict following Mozambique’s independence took a toll on the region’s wildlife. However, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2006 between the Mozambican government and the Peace Parks Foundation marked a turning point. Since then, the park has seen steady development, including numerous species reintroduction and translocation programmes.
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Today, Maputo National Park is home to iconic species such as elephants and giraffes, often seen near Mozambique’s main highway, the N1. What sets the park apart is its “land-and-sea” model of conservation, spanning a total area of 1,718 square kilometres.
The park was officially established on 7 December 2021, through the integration of two adjacent protected areas: the Maputo Special Reserve (1,040 km² of land) and the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve (678 km²).
UNESCO’s recognition is expected to bring greater international visibility and support to the park, further strengthening conservation and ecotourism initiatives in southern Mozambique.
European Mission in Mozambique hails the recognition by considering this the unique park, that combines land and marine areas, is home to incredible biodiversity, including elephants, hippos, chimpanzees, and sea turtles.
“The European Union Military Assistance Mission congratulates Mozambique on this recognition, which strengthens the country’s commitment to conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable development”, it posted on social media accounts.
This article has been published in partnership with the African Times.
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