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The ordinary meeting of the Management Council of the Niassa Special Reserve (NSR) took place on December 1st, at the Hotel Girassol in Lichinga City. The meeting brought together district administrators from the districts that form part of the Reserve, representatives of local communities, tourism operators, civil-society organizations, academic institutions, and the NSR technical team.
The Management Council was organized by the NSR Administration, within the scope of the Northern Mozambique Rural Resilience Project (MozNorte), funded by the World Bank Group, channeled through the Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (BIOFUND), and implemented in the NSR by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mozambique in partnership with the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC).
The main objective of the meeting was to gather input and clarify questions regarding the new co-management model for the NSR to be implemented by ANAC and WCS. Participants discussed the institutional framework, coordination mechanisms, and the clear division of responsibilities, with the aim of ensuring more integrated, efficient, and participatory management of Mozambique’s largest conservation area.
The first session aimed to provide an update on the current security situation in the Reserve. Attendees analyzed ongoing challenges, anti-poaching patrol strategies, threat mitigation measures, and the strengthening of ground operations.
During the afternoon, progress in community-based conservation was presented, highlighting best practices developed by the Natural Resource Management Committees (CGRNs) and other community structures. Priorities for the 2024/2025 period were also outlined, focusing on reinforcing community involvement in biodiversity protection and the generation of sustainable benefits.
The day ended with the Council members reaffirming their collective commitment to improve the governance of the Niassa Special Reserve through a more transparent, inclusive, and collaborative approach among all partners.
Covering approximately 42,000 km², the Niassa Special Reserve remains one of Africa’s most important conservation areas, home to significant populations of elephants, lions, leopards, and African wild dogs, as well as thousands of families who depend directly on its natural resources.