Mozambican environmental problems: Myths and realities

This article assesses the resource potential and environmental problems facing Mozambique at present, pointing to the extreme distortion imposed by the current war upon the development potential of the country. Looking at the long list of environmental problems and issues identified by Timberlake as characterizing the environmental crisis in Africa, it is noted that, at the national level, few of these problems prevail, but that most of them can be identified locally. Both the World Bank and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have carried out environmental assessment of Mozambique and, whilst not agreeing on what the major environmental issues are, are agreed on the major problem posed by the war. The main environmental threats are almost exclusively located along the coastal littoral. Fleeing the fighting in the interior, the population has concentrated along the coast, and environmental pressures in this area are becoming severe. It is likely that, even when the war ends, the population will remain in these areas. There is great potential for economic development in Mozambique, with substantial unemployed agricultural, energy and mineral resources. However, the traditional cash crop industries have been decimated and statistics indicate an overwhelmingly preindustrial subsistence economy. Half the population has been affected through massive civilian losses, malnutrition, displacement and emigration, and no reasonable environmental management strategy can be initiated under these circumstances.