Civil society plays a fundamental role in protecting wildlife and biodiversity. Civil society organizations (CSOs) can contribute to preserving Mozambique's natural resources through various actions.

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How you can act:

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Detection and Investigation:

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• Receive information about illegal wildlife activities from various sources, such as community members and informants.

• Assess the credibility of the information and, if necessary, initiate an investigation to confirm the reports' veracity.

• Collect substantial evidence, such as photographs, videos, and other elements that support the complaint.

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Collaboration with Authorities:

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• Contact the relevant authorities, such as ANAC, PGR, and SERNIC, to report illegal activities and collaborate in planning legal actions.

• When necessary, provide additional information, testimonies, and legal representation to ensure those responsible are duly prosecuted.

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Legal Framework:

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• Law No. 5/2017 of May 11 (Law on the Protection, Conservation, and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity):

  • Article 10: Encourages the creation of institutions to support biodiversity conservation.

  • Article 51 requires all citizens to collaborate in protecting natural resources and to report violations to the authorities, ensuring due protection for informants.

  • Article 63B: Allows civil society to act as an assistant in the criminal process in environmental crimes.

• Code of Criminal Procedure:

  • Article 287: Allows anyone to report a crime to the Public Prosecutor's Office, the police, or any other authority.

  • Article 76 al. e) allows civil society to assist in the criminal process for crimes against fauna and flora.

• SERNIC/PGR Statutes:

  • Article 7 no. 3: Requires all entities to report crimes to SERNIC.

  • Article 12 no. 1 and 2: Requires citizens to collaborate with SERNIC when requested.

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Importance of Wildlife and Biodiversity:

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• Wildlife and biodiversity are essential for ecological balance and human well-being.

• Wildlife provides various ecosystem services, such as pollination, pest control, and water purification.

• Biodiversity is fundamental for food security and the development of new medicines.

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Impacts of Wildlife Crimes:

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• Wildlife crimes, such as illegal hunting, wildlife trafficking, and habitat destruction, threaten the survival of many species.

• These crimes negatively impact the environment, the economy, and local communities.

• Wildlife trafficking is one of the most significant criminal activities in the world, generating billions of dollars per year.

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