Mozambique will merge the Maputo Special Reserve and Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve to form a new conservation area named the Maputo National Park.
Maputo Special Reserve. Picture: Peace Parks Foundation
The country’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) together with the Peace Parks Foundation has implemented various restoration and development strategies, and are confident that the new park will be a huge draw for tourism.
‘The establishment of Maputo National Park will further promote the outstanding tourism attractions of the area and increase awareness regionally and globally,’ Peace Parks Foundation CEO, Werner Myburgh said, according to Tourism Update. ‘Most importantly, national park status will greatly assist with achieving the ultimate objective of creating a self-sustaining park that generates income for communities and contributes significantly to the economy of Mozambique.’
The Park will have Category 2 IUCN status, which is described as ‘large natural or near natural areas set aside to protect large-scale ecological processes.’ Protected areas within this category do not allow commercialisation of land and water and have substantial legal protection. The Park covers terrestrial as well as marine ecosystems.
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