Miombo Forest Conservation | UPSC Current Affairs

Description

MIOMBO FOREST

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Context

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) signed two significant agreements on July 31, 2024, in Maputo- capital of East Africa’s Mozambique.
These agreements focus on the protection of the miombo forest and the facilitation of trade in the border region between Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

About Miombo Forest

Aspect	Details
Location	Central and southern tropical Africa
Countries	Angola, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Climate	Humid to semi-arid; tropical to subtropical/temperate
Dominant Tree Species	*Brachystegia, Julbernardia*
Seasonal Leaf Shedding	Trees shed leaves during the dry season; produce new leaves before the wet season
Boundaries	North: Humid Congolian forests Northeast: Acacia–Commiphora bushland South: Semi-arid woodlands, grasslands, savannas
Dry Miombo Woodlands	<1000 mm annual rainfall Location: Zimbabwe, central Tanzania, eastern and southern Mozambique, Malawi, southern Zambia
Wet Miombo Woodlands	>1000 mm annual rainfall Location: Northern Zambia, eastern Angola, central Malawi, western Tanzania Characteristics: Taller canopy (15+ meters), more tree cover (60+%), greater species diversity
Ecoregions	1. Angolan Wet Miombo Woodlands: Angola 2. Central Zambezian Wet Miombo Woodlands: Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia 3. Dry Miombo Woodlands: Southeastern Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, central and southern Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Flora and Fauna	Predominant Tree: Miombo (Brachystegia spp.) Mammals: African elephant, African wild dog, sable antelope, Lichtenstein's hartebeest Bird Species: Several endemic species
Human Interaction	Supports rural communities by providing fruits, honey, fodder, and fuelwood
Indigenous Peoples	Bemba, Lozi, Yao, Luvale, Shona, Luba
Notable Features	Name Origin: 'Miombo' from the Bemba word for Brachystegia species Dry/Wet Classification: Based on annual rainfall and distribution Vegetation: Trees shed leaves in dry season; vibrant new leaves in wet season

The recent Agreements

These agreements focus on the protection of the miombo forest and the facilitation of trade in the border region between Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
The projects, valued at just over $8 million, will be funded by Italy under the Mattei Plan for Africa, aiming to promote sustainable development and cooperation between the two nations.

Projects

Integrated Transboundary Sustainable Management of Miombo Forests

The first project, "Integrated Transboundary Sustainable Management of Miombo Forests," aims to protect, restore, and sustainably use the miombo forest shared by Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
The forest is crucial for millions of rural inhabitants, providing essential resources like firewood, food, and water.
This project will focus on sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and enhancing community-based management practices.
It aims to directly benefit 5,000 families, promoting gender equality and youth participation.
This initiative aligns with the Protocol and the Maputo Declaration (2022) on sustainable and integrated management of miombo woodlands.

Zim-Moza Agriculture Value Chain & Trade Development Project (Zim-Moza ATDP)

The second project, the "Zim-Moza Agriculture Value Chain & Trade Development Project" (Zim-Moza ATDP), focuses on developing the agricultural value chain and trade between Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
By improving market access, enhancing production practices, and fostering cross-border collaboration, the Zim-Moza ATDP aims to boost the economic prospects of smallholder farmers and agribusinesses.
Key focus areas include citrus, pineapple, banana, coffee, macadamia, maize, and various horticultural products.
The initiative will address trade barriers, support value addition, and enhance the competitiveness of agricultural products in local and international markets.

Significance of the Projects

These projects represent a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhancing the livelihoods of rural communities.
The miombo woodland, a vast African dryland forest ecosystem covering nearly 2.7 million square kilometers across southern Africa, including countries like Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, is a critical biome.
It includes tropical and subtropical grasslands, bushlands, and savannahs, and maintains the Greater Zambezi, a vital transnational river basin.

Conclusion

The agreements signed between FAO and AICS mark a significant advancement in the protection of the miombo forest and the enhancement of agricultural trade between Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
These initiatives, supported by Italy, aim to foster sustainable development, improve livelihoods, and build resilience against environmental and economic challenges in the region.

READ ALL ABOUT FAO: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/food-and-agriculture-organization

Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)

The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), operating since January 2016, is a public agency dedicated to international development, public aid, and humanitarian emergencies. It enables the Italian government to support European and international partners globally, focusing on health, education, and the environment. AICS aims to ensure fair wealth distribution and equal access to infrastructure and basic services, collaborating with NGOs, state institutions, and the private sector.