People who live near Banhine National Park have started to receive money from tourist visits. This helps families in the Chigubo, Mapai, and Mabalane areas of Gaza province. The law says local groups should get 20% of what tourists pay to visit the park. This money goes straight to nearby villages and helps them work with park officials. The cash rewards come from rules made years ago that help local people benefit from living next to wildlife areas.
The park opened 52 years ago, but only recently did money start flowing directly to neighbors. Before this change, the park helped build schools and water sources for nearby villages. They also gave funds for farming projects and helped children go to school. All these efforts made life better for families living close to wild animals. The direct payments add to these good works and create even more benefits for local citizens.
At a special event, leaders gave 650,000 meticais to community groups. Gaza Governor Margarida Chongo led the meeting. The head of land and environment, Gustavo Djedje, also came. Pejul Calenga from the wildlife agency joined them. Local leaders from all three districts watched as the money changed hands. Representatives from village committees took part in accepting these funds for their areas.
The money pays for projects that each community deems most important. It also encourages locals to protect nature instead of fighting against it. When people value wildlife, they stop killing animals that eat crops or harm livestock. This prevents the deaths of both humans and animals and keeps the natural balance working right. The governor believes these payments solve many problems at once by making wildlife valuable to everyone.
Governor Chongo says this approach creates better connections between villages and the park. Local people find new ways to make a living that work alongside nature. Everyone learns to share space with wild creatures. The park staff and villagers form a team that protects both animal homes and human needs. This plan builds respect between all sides and helps solve old conflicts through shared benefits.
During her visit, Governor Chongo opened a new home for park rangers. The building has modern equipment and everything the rangers need. This helps them do their jobs of watching over the animals and keeping the park safe. Rangers can live comfortably inside the park where they work instead of traveling long distances each day.
Banhine National Park covers 7,256 square kilometers in the Chigubo district. The park has dry grassy plains where unique animals live. Visitors might see ostriches running across fields or hippos swimming in small lakes. Giant baobab trees stand like ancient guards throughout the land. The park became official in 1973 to save animals from being captured for zoos. Hunters had taken many elephants for ivory tusks. Drought had killed many animals as well. Park workers bring back missing species and welcome tourists who want to sleep under the stars and drive through wild areas.
The park opened 52 years ago, but only recently did money start flowing directly to neighbors. Before this change, the park helped build schools and water sources for nearby villages. They also gave funds for farming projects and helped children go to school. All these efforts made life better for families living close to wild animals. The direct payments add to these good works and create even more benefits for local citizens.
At a special event, leaders gave 650,000 meticais to community groups. Gaza Governor Margarida Chongo led the meeting. The head of land and environment, Gustavo Djedje, also came. Pejul Calenga from the wildlife agency joined them. Local leaders from all three districts watched as the money changed hands. Representatives from village committees took part in accepting these funds for their areas.
The money pays for projects that each community deems most important. It also encourages locals to protect nature instead of fighting against it. When people value wildlife, they stop killing animals that eat crops or harm livestock. This prevents the deaths of both humans and animals and keeps the natural balance working right. The governor believes these payments solve many problems at once by making wildlife valuable to everyone.
Governor Chongo says this approach creates better connections between villages and the park. Local people find new ways to make a living that work alongside nature. Everyone learns to share space with wild creatures. The park staff and villagers form a team that protects both animal homes and human needs. This plan builds respect between all sides and helps solve old conflicts through shared benefits.
During her visit, Governor Chongo opened a new home for park rangers. The building has modern equipment and everything the rangers need. This helps them do their jobs of watching over the animals and keeping the park safe. Rangers can live comfortably inside the park where they work instead of traveling long distances each day.
Banhine National Park covers 7,256 square kilometers in the Chigubo district. The park has dry grassy plains where unique animals live. Visitors might see ostriches running across fields or hippos swimming in small lakes. Giant baobab trees stand like ancient guards throughout the land. The park became official in 1973 to save animals from being captured for zoos. Hunters had taken many elephants for ivory tusks. Drought had killed many animals as well. Park workers bring back missing species and welcome tourists who want to sleep under the stars and drive through wild areas.
