Luanda – The Head of State, João Lourenço, on Thursday in Luanda announced that the country carried out an animal census last December and has been monitoring a number of elephants in the Luengue-Luiana National Park, in the southern provinces of Cuando and Cubango.
Without giving any more details, at the opening of the International Conference on Biodiversity and Conservation Areas, he said that, in this area with the highest concentration of wildlife in Angola, the studies would help the country to define the routes of these pachyderms.
However, he guaranteed that studies would also be carried out on other animal species, pointing to deforestation, fires, poaching, human-animal conflict and the impacts of climate change as challenges.
“Therefore, with determination and solid partnerships, we have made remarkable progress and we will continue to fight for Angola to be an example of environmental preservation on the African continent”, he emphasised.
Conservation Areas
On the other hand, João Lourenço explained that Angola intends to expand conservation areas from the current 13% to 16%, and that new areas have been proposed.
To this end, João Lourenço mentioned Moco Hill in Huambo province, Cumbira Forest in Cuanza Sul, and Pingano Mountain in Uíge, as the future new conservation areas, adding that later still this year, Angola will have its first marine conservation area off the coast of Namibe province, as well as the first biosphere reserve to extend from Kissama National Park to the sea.
Migratory Routes
In his opening speech, João Lourenço called for environmental assessment studies to be carried out to prevent damage to the main migratory routes.
He said that reports from recent years have revealed the death of several species of migratory birds in Angola, many of which fly inland from the coast, colliding with electricity cables, solar panels and tall buildings, among other obstacles.
President João Lourenço pointed out that Angola is one of the main transition routes for migratory species between southern and north Africa.
According to the President of the Republic, migration is part of the life cycle of various species, and it is necessary for the biological processes of species to develop without major upsets and traps, placed apparently unintentionally.
With regard to the migration of species, especially aquatic species, he said it is extremely important to take into account the Ramsay Convention, known as the Convention on Wetlands.
He emphasised that Angola, in collaboration with the Ramsay Convention Secretariat, had identified 11 wetlands at national level to be candidates for the Ramsay Site of International Importance, such as Saco dos Flamingos, in Ramiros, Luanda province.
According to the Head of State, with the support of environmental organisations and actions, Angola is committed to planting mangroves to protect wetlands.
Conference
The International Conference on Biodiversity and Conservation Areas, which is taking place in Luanda until Friday, is organised by the Ministry of the Environment and is being attended by specialists from Africa, Europe, America and the Caribbean.
Over the course of two days, topics such as the need for financial mechanisms for conservation, inclusive and sustainable solutions, the role of local communities in preserving endangered species, environmental justice, human rights and the importance of protected areas will be debated.
VIC/MRA/jmc
