MEMBROS DA COMUNIDADE DE NAMARE UNIDOS NA CONSERVAÇÃO DA BIODIVERSIDADE: UM EXEMPLO DE COMPROMISSO COM A RESTAURAÇÃO DOS MANGAIS | ADRA Mozambique

NAMARE COMMUNITY MEMBERS UNITED IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION: AN EXAMPLE OF COMMITMENT TO MANGROVE RESTORATION

In the Memba district of Nampula province, specifically in the Namare community, the mangrove restoration process implemented under the Wilipihera project has begun to bring visible and transformative benefits to residents. With the active involvement of the community, the initiative is promoting not only the recovery of the ecosystem, but also strengthening the social and economic resilience of local families through a "cash for work" approach, allowing community members to earn income for their subsistence.

Alde Andinane is the husband of two wives and father of seven children. A native of the Namare community and a fisherman, Alde says that he and the community "have now learned methods for restoring the mangroves and techniques for collecting and planting propagules. We realized that it is important to protect the mangroves because they are where fish, crabs and many other creatures reproduce," said Alde.

In addition, Andinane recognizes that the mangroves protect his home and community from strong winds and cyclones. He is very pleased to be taking part in the restoration of the mangroves and because he and other members have started to receive subsidies for the work they do. "For example, I got 10,200 MZN (153.6 USD) from the mangrove planting process. With my subsidies, I bought notebooks and clothes for my children to go to school," Alde revealed.

Fátima Segunda is also a member of the mangrove restoration group. Born in the Namare community and married to a fisherman, Fátima works as a leader in her group and revealed to the Wilipihera project field team that "before the project arrived in this community, we used to cut mangroves for firewood. Now, we forbid the children from cutting them and we understand that the mangroves protect the community from cyclones and strong winds, keeping our homes safe."
Awareness of the ecological importance of mangroves, combined with the economic benefits provided by cash-for-work subsidies, has progressively transformed the community's wrong practices and attitudes.
Today, mangroves are recognized not only as a natural resource, but also as an essential element for the survival of marine biodiversity and for protecting communities from the effects of climate disasters. Harmful practices, such as the indiscriminate cutting down of mangrove trees, have been abandoned, and residents are becoming active advocates for environmental conservation.
This transformation in Namare is an inspiring example of how the union between environmental preservation and community empowerment can transform lives, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for all.

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