Cuvango - The second phase of scientific studies on the biodiversity potential of the Okavango-Zambeze Basin, in the territory that covers Huila Province, began on Thursday in the municipality of Cuvango, 356 kilometers east of Lubango, an initiative of National Geographic (Nat Geo) that began in 2018.

The aim of the research is to identify and preserve the diversity of plant and animal species in the rivers of Angola, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. In Huíla, the work will take place on the bed and banks of the Cubango River.

The information was disclosed to ANGOP by the head of the team in charge of the study, Paulo Prestana, during a meeting with the Municipal Administrator of Cuvango, Luís Paulo Ndala, adding that the study reserves expeditions aimed at addressing the orientation, protection, conservation and preservation of Angolan rivers.

The focus at this stage, said the source, is on the Okavango basin, which supplies water to millions of inhabitants in the region.

Prestana stressed that in the first phase of the study, 407 species of birds, 92 species of fish, 99 reptiles, 14 species of plants and significant quantities of mammals and amphibians were discovered in the Okavango basin. 

The Future Okavango (TFO) is a research project involving Angola, Botswana, Namibia and Germany. 

The Okavango Basin is a hydrologically active area stretching across Angola, Namibia and Botswana. The Okavango River is the main river in the basin and flows into the Okavango Delta, the largest inland river in the world. MS/TED/AMP