MozParks fully accepts its responsibility to the natural environment and the surrounding communities. It views action in the greenbelt areas around its parks as a long-term commitment to the environment and to the neighbouring communities. As such, it is ambitiously tackling the rejuvenation and preservation of the 260 hectares Green Belt around Beluluane Industrial Park in Boane. The green belt is established to protect the sensitive indigenous plants along the banks of the Matola River and will also encourage respect for indigenous plants, many of which have traditional health and nutritious values. This initiative is carried out in partnership with the Eden Reforestation Projects and is an extension of the commitment made by MozParks in June 2020 which was supported by the governor of Maputo.
The goals of the MozParks and Eden Projects reforestation programme include:- The rejuvenation of mangroves, the replanting of indigenous terrestrial trees, especially those bearing fruit high in vitamin c, and the preservation of existing indigenous trees in the 260 hectares of Green Belt .
- The establishment of a nursery within BIP to supply tree saplings for the reestablishment of the Green Belt and to educate local community members on how indigenous fruit bearing trees can be propagated
- The creation of employment opportunities for community members in running the nursery and in replanting
- The education and increased awareness on the importance and long term benefits of indigenous trees and plants and the value of greenbelts and green spaces for communities
The launch of the project on the 29th of April 2022 in Boane, was attended by Aida Sulemane Directora Provincial de Desenvolvimento Territorial e Ambiente who said in her address that she was honoured to be present at this important partnership between industry and conservation.
Onório Manuel, the General Manager of MozParks, said that MozParks is aiming to be a role model in sustainable industrial development in Mozambique. It is continuously seeking opportunities to partner with projects that do not only provide industrial and business growth, but also make a positive impact on increasing local employment and creating an ecologically friendly environment. “Our legacy should not be money, but rather protecting and creating a healthy habitat”.
Dr Gildo Cuamba, the director of Eden Reforestation Project in Mozambique said that to date, Eden has planted 72 million trees in Mozambique, and they are committed to this strategic partnership with MozParks. They look forward to a long-term partnership as MozParks expands throughout the country. This, he believes, supports their mission of “Plant trees and save lives”.
Representatives from DUYS engineering company who attended the ceremony, welcomed the initiative by MozParks and Eden Projects and their comments supported those of David Scheepers from Capital Star Steel who reiterated that this initiative would have long term benefits with the potential for enviro-activities such as cycling and birding.
Businesspeople from Maputo Province gathered at the Commercial and Industrial Association of Matola (ACIM) on Tuesday, to deliver to the Governor Júlio Parruque various food products and other goods valued at over 1 million meticais, in support of victims of terrorism in Cabo Delgado.
With this donation, the businesspeople of Matola City fulfilled the promise made at a fundraising dinner to support the victims of the terrorist attacks in Cabo Delgado, held in December 2020.
On the occasion, the Commercial and Industrial Association of Matola committed to deliver the donation to its strategic partner – the Islamic Council of Mozambique (CISLAMO) to channel it to the victims of terrorism in Cabo Delgado.
Representing the Commercial and Industrial Association of Matola in the act, the General Director of Beluluane Industrial Park, Onório Boane, highlighted, among others, that the problem of Cabo Delgado belongs to all Mozambicans. He added that the businessmen will spare no efforts in gathering more support, while the terrorists continue to sow pain and mourning in that part of the country.
For his part, the Governor of Maputo Province said he was feeling a sense of relief that the Provincial Executive Council received the support of the private sector for the relief of the suffering of the victims of terrorism in Cabo Delgado.
According to Júlio Parruque, this gesture of charity of the Maputo Province businessmen is an important complement to the national solidarity movement towards Cabo Delgado. He appealed for the work to be continued in several ways and promised to make the donation reach its recipients.
Press Office of the Maputo Province Governor/ Press Release