Africa-Press – Angola. National and foreign experts linked to environmental conservation discussed, yesterday, in Luanda, the methods for protecting clean springs and some iconic rivers in Africa, particularly those located in southwest Angola.On the occasion, the executive director of the Lisima Foundation, Adriano de Sousa, reported that the meeting, which addressed issues related to “Water Conservation Planning in Southeast Angola and its sources”, aimed to improve methods for maintaining the natural state of water resources, for the benefit of nature and local communities.
The initiative, he explained, is part of the actions of the Okavango Zambezi cross-border environmental conservation project, which is being implemented by five member countries, namely Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Adriano de Sousa explained that attention was essentially focused on the Cubango, Okavango, Cuando and Zambezi rivers, whose river basins are recognized as one of the five areas with the greatest biodiversity and wild nature in the world.
The executive director of the Lisima Foundation reinforced the need to invest in measures for the protection and sustainable management of soils, highlighting that Angola has the rare opportunity to safeguard rivers at a relatively low cost.
The promotion of economic activities, with an emphasis on ecotourism, said the official, are among the priority actions to be developed by environmental conservation specialists.
River basins
The representative of the Cunene River Basin Administration Office (GABHIC), Carolino Mendes, stated that it is necessary to act immediately, in the implementation of environmental conservation measures.
The Cubango-Okavango basin is essential for the maintenance of a vast range of wildlife, including one of the largest populations of African elephants, through its abundant water resources.
Angola’s biodiversity, continued Carolino Mendes, has more than 1,260 species of endemic plants and 275 mammals, namely the Giant Sable Antelope, the Red Buffalo, the Savanna Elephant, among others.
During the meeting, participants refined conservation strategies, including defining and implementing effective methods to enhance biodiversity security in wetlands.
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