The province of Niassa continues to face serious challenges in combating environmental crimes, particularly uncontrolled bushfires and poaching, phenomena that are raising concern among government and environmental authorities.
The district of Mecula leads the list of regions with the highest incidence of these crimes, followed by Marrupa, Sanga, and Majune. As a result, Niassa currently ranks second among the provinces with the highest number of uncontrolled fire cases in the country, behind Zambézia.
Speaking during the 10th Ordinary Meeting of the Provincial Coordination Council – Niassa 2026, the Director of the Provincial Environment Service, Jornito Muemed, pointed out that, in addition to wildfires, poaching, deforestation, and illegal mining continue to pose serious threats to ecological balance, particularly in the Niassa Special Reserve.
According to Muemed, as part of inspection actions carried out over the past year, 1,163 operations were conducted, covering a distance of 23,547 kilometers along the Rovuma River, in border areas with Tanzania and the province of Cabo Delgado. As a result of these interventions, 76 offenders were apprehended, 81 fines were issued, and 11 cases were brought to trial.
Despite these efforts, the official expressed concern about delays in processing environmental crime cases, which, he said, undermine the effectiveness of enforcement measures.
In turn, the Provincial Prosecutor of the Republic in Niassa, Eduarda Thay, acknowledged a significant shortage of magistrates in the province, a situation that forces the few available professionals to handle multiple sections, slowing down case proceedings.
Meanwhile, the administrator of the Niassa Special Reserve, Terêncio Tamel, called for strict enforcement of legal penalties for crimes such as poaching. He also urged the public to comply with legal requirements when obtaining game meat, as a way to preserve biodiversity.
To strengthen prevention strategies, the Provincial Environment Service plans to implement controlled burning this year, known as “cool burning,” a technique that involves setting fire to still-green grass to reduce the risk of large-scale wildfires.
Additionally, a provincial symposium on uncontrolled fires is planned, aimed at promoting discussion and adopting sustainable solutions for environmental protection in the region.
Authorities have therefore reiterated their call for collaboration from local communities, emphasizing that combating environmental crimes requires a joint effort between government, the justice system, and the population. (Mozanorte)
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