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Source- This post on Miombo Forest has been created based on the article “New projects to safeguard Miombo forest, boost food security in Mozambique & Zimbabwe” published in “Down to Earth” on 7 August 2024.
Why in News?
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) have recently signed two agreements to initiate projects focused on safeguarding the miombo forest.
About Miombo Forest
| Aspects | Description |
| About | 1. The Miombo is a biome encompassing tropical and subtropical grasslands, bushlands, and savannahs. 2. It is a vast African dryland forest ecosystem covering nearly 2.7 million square kilometres across southern Africa. |
| Distribution | They are found in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. |
| Flora | The woodlands are characterized by the dominance of Brachystegia species. |
| Fauna | 1. It is home to various mammal species, such as African elephants, lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, and several species of antelope. 2. It also hosts numerous bird species, including the Miombo rock thrush and the African pitta. |
| Climate | 1. The climate in the Miombo region is typically tropical, with a distinct dry season that can last for several months. 2. Rainfall is seasonal, occurring mainly during the wet season from November to April. 3. Temperatures vary widely between the hot, wet season and the cooler, dry season. |
| Significance | 1. Ecological: The Miombo forest encompasses four bioregions. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the Greater Zambezi, which is one of the most important transnational river basins. 2. Economical: The forest facilitates trade in the border region between Mozambique and Zimbabwe. 3. Social: The Miombo forest is vital for millions of people in rural areas providing essential resources such as firewood, food, and water. |
| Threat
| 1. The Miombo Forest faces significant threats from deforestation and land degradation. 2. Climate change poses additional challenges, with increasing temperatures and changing rainfall patterns potentially altering the ecosystem’s dynamics. |
| Conservation Efforts | 1. Efforts to conserve the Miombo Forest include the establishment of protected areas, community-based natural resource management, and sustainable land use practices. 2. International and local organizations work together to promote reforestation, sustainable agriculture, and the protection of wildlife habitats. 3. Community involvement is critical to these conservation strategies. |
Read more: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
UPSC Syllabus: Environment
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