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On 10 November 2000 the Ministers of Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe responsible for the environment, signed an international agreement between the three countries initiating the formal negotiation process that will lead to the establishment of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GL TP).

The establishment of the proposed GL TP, spanning an area of over 35 000 square kilometres, will not only support the broader political aims of socio-economic upliftment in the southern African sub-continent where rural areas are chronically subject to high unemployment and low income but also greatly improve regional ecosystem management. The vision of cross-border collaboration will moreover give effect to the stated objectives of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), namely synergistic regional initiatives that aim at the economic, social and conservation development of the subcontinent.

The proclamation of the Limpopo National Park, previously known as Coutada 16 is a significant step by the Government of Mozambique towards the opening of the GL TP. The German Government has, through the German Development Bank Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau, made an initial grant of 6.0 million (euro) available towards the development of the Limpopo National Park. An agreement approving this project as a pilot TFCA initiative was also signed between the Government of Germany and the SADC. Other donors supporting the project include the World Bank, USAID RCSA, and the IUCN.

A project implementation unit (PIU) consisting of a park warden, project manager, financial manager and community liaison officer, has been appointed to develop this newly established park into one of international standing. A project steering committee consisting of two members from the Mozambican Ministry of Tourism and two members from Peace Parks Foundation will oversee the implementation of the project as part of an agreement signed in this regard.

BASIC FIELD RANGER TRAINING COURSE, Nov - Dec 2001

One of the first objectives in the development of the Limpopo National Park was to ensure the training of rangers to assist the PIU in the wildlife management of the National Park which spans an area of 10 000 square kilometres. The Southern African Wildlife College and African Field Ranger Training Services were contracted to train the first group of thirty rangers.

The training programme comprised of three phases:
* Selection
* Basic field ranger training
* Tactical deployment

SELECTION (Massingir, Mozambique)

The first phase of the programme consisted of rigorous paramilitary training, the aim of which was to determine the candidates' suitability for the physical and mental requirements of the job.

The successful candidates continued the second phase of training at the Southern African Wildlife College.

BASIC FIELD RANGER COURSE (Southern African Wildlife College, South Africa)

During this phase the rangers were introduced to the philosophy and ethics of conservation, as well as what their role and duties would be in relation to the Mozambican Directorate of National Protected Areas' role in conservation management. They also had theoretical and practical sessions in a number of skills, including first aid, law enforcement patrols and radio procedures.

TACTICAL DEPLOYMENT PHASE (Massingir, Mozambique)

The final stage of the training consisted of a de-briefing session and the deployment of the rangers to their respective posts throughout the national park. An important component of the rangers' work will be to ensure that the people residing within the national park will live in harmony with its wildlife. In this regard an extensive community consultation and awareness programme was launched whereby their participation in the development of the management plan was ensured. The main goal of the development of the GLTP is that the communities will optimally benefit from the envisaged eco-tourism development.

A ceremony to officiate the proclamation of the Limpopo National Park and the passing out parade of the first thirty rangers will be held in Massingir on 20 December 2001. Various dignitaries including the Minister of Tourism for Mozambique, Mr Fernando Sumbana; the Minister of Defence, Mr Tibias Dai; the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Almirinho Manyadge; the Governor of Gaza Province, Mr Rosario Mualeia, and the Director of the Directorate for National Protected Areas of Mozambique, Dr Afonso Madope, will attend the ceremony.

Contact persons:

Mr Gilberto Vicente, Park Warden
Tel: ++ 258 1 303 616; Fax: ++258 1 306 212
Cell: ++258 (0)82 316 232

Mr Arrie van Wyk, Project Manager
Tel: ++27 (0)83 626 4704

Issued by Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

20 December 2001