Maputo National Park Gains UNESCO Status—But Industrial Threats Linger

Maputo National Park has been named Mozambique’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site, a move celebrated globally for its conservation significance. Spanning 154,000 hectares, it links seamlessly with South Africa’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park, creating nearly 400,000 hectares of protected transboundary coastline. Praised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as one of Africa’s most stunning coastal wetlands, the park boasts vibrant wildlife, beaches, and wetlands—including the former Maputo Elephant Reserve and Inhaca Island. However, concerns loom over a proposed deep-water harbor at Ponta Techobanine, which lies within the park’s buffer zone. Despite assurances that no development is planned, a recent $3 million feasibility grant by the African Development Bank raises fresh questions about future industrial ambitions, despite environmental assurances.

Daily Maverick