State of Africa’s Birds
RESPONSE: Conserving biodiversity
Taking birds and biodiversity conservation to greater heights across frontiers in the Chimanimani Mountains Key Biodiversity Area (KBA)
BirdLife Zimbabwe (BLZ, BirdLife Partner), in collaboration with MICAIA Foundation (a Mozambican NGO), is demonstrating the important role played by local stakeholders and communities in the conservation of birds and biodiversity in the trans-boundary Chimanimani Mountains Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). A joint project funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), which promotes local collaboration and improved knowledge of birds and biodiversity in the Chimanimani KBA is being implemented Participants from Chimanimani, Zimbabwe completing the IBA and METT by both organizations. Some 36 individuals monitoring forms during a practical field exercise on habitat monitoring. representing 12 institutions, living and/or (PHOTO: ©BLZ) working within the Chimanimani Mountains from both Mozambique and Zimbabwe, have improved their skills and knowledge in bird identification and IBA/KBA monitoring, as well as a practical application of the IBA Monitoring Framework and Management Effective Tracking Tool (METT). In an effort to strengthen local networks among stakeholders, the Foundation has brought together local stakeholders in the Chimanimani Mountains through joint meetings where potential areas for collaboration such as species monitoring, education and awareness programmes, community livelihood improvement and birding ecotourism promotion were explored. Through this project, BLZ and MICAIA have highlighted the importance of Chimanimani Mountains Trans-frontier Conservation Area (TFCA) as a biodiversity hotspot to TFCA officers. Although neglected for a long time, the Chimanimani Mountains now have active support at the local level following interventions by BLZ and MICAIA.
Community and park rangers identifying a bird species during a training in Mozambique. (PHOTO: ©BLZ)
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