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Community development based on sustainable use of natural resources
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Local communities living in the area
Currently, at least 21000 people live in the Reserve in scattered settlements from a few hundred to more than 8 thousand people. The largest settlements are Mecula and Mavago, which are district capitals, and have about 4,000 and 9,000 inhabitants respectively. The principal ethnic groups in the area are Yao and Macua with the dominant languages being Yao, Macua, Swahili and Portuguese. Most of the people are Muslims.
Niassa Province as a whole and specifically the Reserve area within the Province have the lowest population densities in Mozambique. This coupled with lack of infrastructure, particularly transport infrastructure, combined to render development projects in this area ineffectual. The local communities living in and around Niassa reserve are among the poorest in Mozambique. Their main occupation is subsistence agriculture (slash and burn), fishing, hunting and collecting forest products. Most of the area is unsuitable for agriculture because of ecological constraints associated with poor sandy soils and variable rainfall. The presence of tsetse flies renders the area inhospitable to livestock.
Since the establishment of this project under SRN auspices there has been no attempt to ignore or remove the local human population, rather they have become an integral part of the process. The program is thus based on recognition of the crucial role that local communities must play. As such the Community development component of the Niassa Program aims to improve the livelihoods of the local communities, while reducing the pressure to the natural resources.
2.1. Reduction of human – wildlife conflict in the project area
Conflict between wildlife and the human population is a reality in Niassa Reserve and takes the form of crop destruction, damage of property and sometimes even loss of life. The main conflicts reported are wild pig, elephant, baboon and in Mavago District lion. The initial strategy of the Reserve, based on the requests from the communities was to minimize conflict by erecting electric fencing around villages and their crop fields in order to keep the elephants out. These fences are solar powered and usually consist of two high wires, allowing people to pass easily beneath the fence. Decisions on length and positioning of fences are based on the community wishes. So far ten fences, totaling over 200 Kilometers, have been erected at different localities. The results have been positive. The investment for the fences was made by the SRN. The local communities are responsible for maintain their own fence line, which involves keeping the fence line open and clean to prevent short circuits. Provided the fences are well maintained they work well and villagers appreciate the protection provided. They live and harvest more safely and with better results.
2.2. Provide employment opportunities
To Provide employment opportunities has also been one of the major concerns of the program. SRN through its Niassa Reserve Management Unit is one of the largest employers in the region. Already over 200 permanent jobs have been created in the Reserve (game guards, drivers, mechanics, construction workers and artisans) and the buffer zones (trackers, skinners, guides, cooks and camp attendants). More jobs will be created in association with the safari camps, which are planned to be built in the buffer areas by the concessionaires.
2.3. Community Projects Management Committees
As a result of the disruptive effects of war and displacement the traditional community structures have become very weak. Hence, the Niassa Reserve staff has undertaken a rapid stakeholder analysis in 20 communities in Mecula District of the Reserve to identify natural resource use groups as well as development priorities. Following the stakeholder identification, meetings were held in each of the twenty selected communities for the establishment of Community representative committees. The program places a special emphasis on strengthening the capacity of these newly created committees.
During the resource use assessments (a second one was undertaken by WWF in mid 2000 in some villages in Mavago District), the communities identified as development priorities for their villages the following: grinding mills, bore holes, medical support, transport, improved roads, livestock development, and market stalls.
Meanwhile, SRN established a Community Fund, using 50% of the revenues obtained from safari tenders accomplished in 1999 and 2000. The Fund is administered by SRN. The Community Committees decide together with the reserve staff the development priorities for their respective village, for which they need money. The selected priorities should be compatible with conservation objectives of the Reserve.
During year 2000, funds have been provided to some villages to purchase maize-grinding mills, which will reduce the amount of time spent by women for manual grinding. In addition, the Community Fund supported the building of market stalls to sell basic items in the remote communities and the rehabilitation of primary schools and health posts.
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