Mozambique joins World Network of Biosphere Reserves

The 30th session of the Man and the Biosphere Programme International Co-ordinating Council (MAB-ICC) meeting in Palembang, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia has added Mozambique’s Quirimbas Biosphere Reserve to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. This is actually Mozambique’s first Biosphere Reserve.

Located in Cabo Delgado province, in the northern part of Mozambique, Quirimbas Biosphere Reserve consists of 11 islands, a combination of marine parks and a freshwater system including the Montepuez river and Lake Bilibiza, a bird sanctuary. The islands support 3,000 floral species, of which 1,000 are endemic, and a rich fauna that includes 23 species of reptiles, 447 species of birds and 46 species of terrestrial mammals including four of the “big five” (elephant, lion, buffalo and leopard), as well as eight species of marine mammals including whales and dolphins. The main economic activities are fishing, animal husbandry, tourism, arts and crafts and sea transport.

More information:

• Twenty-four new sites join UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves
• Photo gallery
• Video of the new Biosphere Reserves