Connecting communities for better natural resources management
A new radio communication system is transforming community-based monitoring in Chipanje Chetu, an area of high conservation importance for biodiversity in the Sanga District of Niassa Province. The initiative is improving coordination among community rangers, speeding up responses to incidents, and enhancing the protection of natural resources and local communities.
According to Fanuel Garrai, who is in charge of operating the system, the radio communication system made it possible to quickly resolve one of the first incidents reported after its implementation: a case of conflict between people and elephants that were destroying farm fields. Through real-time communication between teams on the ground, local authorities, and aerial support, it was possible to locate the animals, assess the risk, and take appropriate measures quickly and in a coordinated manner.
Manager of the Chipanje Chetu radio communication system.
For community inspectors, the new system has addressed one of the biggest challenges they faced during patrols: the lack of communication in remote areas. Previously, teams were forced to travel to locations with cell phone reception to transmit important information, which often delayed responses.
Verónica Luís, community inspectors from Nova Madeira, with her respective patrol groups.
The benefits are already evident with regard to the protection of natural resources. Recently, community inspectors were able to identify and intervene in a case of illegal logging thanks to the rapid coordination made possible by the radios.
explains Amado Halifa, a community inspector from Nova Madeira.
The introduction of radio communication was accompanied by training for community inspectors on the use of the equipment and the Kobo system for data collection. This training made it possible to designate operators responsible for handling the radio communication equipment in each community.
Established in April, the system comprises three stations located in II Congresso, Monte Sanga, and Nova Madeira, which communicate with one another and ensure coverage in previously isolated areas. In total, 50 radios were made available, of which 25 were allocated to the communities, including members of the management committees (COGECO) - and 25 to the Lipilichi team.
By improving communication and coordination on the ground, the new radio communication system is strengthening community-based monitoring and contributing to a faster and more effective response to conservation challenges in Chipanje Chetu.
Funded by the World Bank through the Biodiversity Conservation Fund (BIOFUND), the Community Governance project in Chipanje Chetu was implemented between 2024 and 2026 by a consortium led by Helvetas Mozambique, with the goal of strengthening community-based natural resource management and biodiversity conservation.