MAPUTO— Up to 100 million trees are to be planted in Mozambique’s dwindling mangroves, in a conservation deal between the southern African nation and mangrove reforestation specialists Blue Forest.

Mangroves are an important protection against climate change, mitigating the effects of cyclones and floods.

One acre (4,000 sq m) of mangrove forest can absorb nearly the same amount of carbon dioxide as an acre of the Amazon rainforest.

But logging around the world is diminishing this precious resource.

Blue Forest says this project in Mozambique will strengthen the country’s coastal protection and offset approximately 200,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, which it says is equivalent to removing 50,000 cars from the road.

The reforestation project is set to cover 210,000 acres of the Sofala delta, which straddles the Sofala and Zambezia provinces on Mozambique’s coast.

Jorge Mafuca of Mozambique’s ministry of sea, inland waters and fisheries said it was “one of the biggest steps” it had ever undertaken to protect its mangroves, blaming their deforestation on “natural events” and “growing populations”.

Vahid Fotuhi, founder and CEO of UK-based Blue Forest – has explained its business model, telling BBC Focus on Africa radio that “the proceeds of the sale from carbon projects cover the costs of the project and provide a return”.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK