THE PROJECT
There are currently 12 operational Coutadas, or Wildlife
Management Areas/ Controlled Hunting Areas in
Mozambique, of which Coutada 5 at 687 000 ha is the
largest. The Government of Mozambique allocates the
Coutadas to suitable applicants on a leasehold contract
basis. These contracts make provision for the
development and management of the Coutadas, without
ownership being granted to the concessionaires. The
contract for Coutada 5 was granted in August 2012 to the
holding company, Africa Futura Wildlife Restoration Lda
(AFWR) on a 20 year lease, thereafter renewable in
segments of five years each. Since Mozambique,
notwithstanding encouraging and sustained economic
growth, still ranks 184 out of 187 countries on the
human development rank, the contract stresses the need
for economic development and socio-economic upliftment
of the local communities. In order to comply with these
contractual requirements, AFWR accepted and applies the
policy of community-based natural resources management.
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