Defending Tropical Forests: Community Conservation in Mozambique’s Mount Mabu as a Beacon of Hope

This is the first in a series of articles on the Tropical Forest Initiative spearheaded by the CLIMA Fund, of which Grassroots International is part. In the case described below, this funding bolstered efforts to secure community land rights and protect forestland against exploitative practices, such as industrial monocultures and the encroachment of carbon credit schemes.

Nestled in the Lugela district of Zambezia province, Mount Mabu gained significant international attention and exposure after being identified through Google Earth, via satellite imagery following Google’s interest in the site. For the surrounding communities of Nvava, Namadoe, Limbue, and Nangaze, this verdant expanse is far more than a biological marvel. It is a source of life, culture, and identity. Yet, like many tropical forests globally, it is under siege. A growing tide of commodification of nature, driven by carbon offset schemes like REDD+ and exclusionary conservation practices, is threatening to displace the very communities who have protected these ecosystems for generations. Recognizing the value of Mount Mabu, these communities, with support from Justiça Ambiental (JA!), have been at the forefront of a groundbreaking community-led conservation initiative. 

The Forest Landscape and Patterns of Deforestation in Mozambique and Africa

Mozambique’s forests cover nearly 40% of the country, forming a critical part of the Miombo woodlands that stretch across southern Africa. These forests are vital biodiversity reservoirs, of spiritual significance, and sources of food, medicine, and income for millions. However, deforestation rates are alarmingly high, with Mozambique losing an estimated 267,000 hectares of forest annually. The culprits are many: expanding monoculture plantations like rubber and eucalyptus, illegal logging, mining, and large-scale infrastructure projects.

This pattern is not unique to Mozambique. Across Africa, tropical forests are being decimated by similar forces. The commodification of nature has exacerbated these challenges, introducing market-based solutions such as REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) that often prioritize profit over people. While touted as climate solutions, REDD+ projects frequently displace forest communities, restricting their access to land and resources under the guise of conservation.

In this context, the grassroots initiative by Justiça Ambiental (JA!)¹ to secure community-based conservation in Mount Mabu offers a compelling alternative. The project, which encompasses four local communities—Nvava, Namadoe, Limbue, and Nangaze—demonstrates the power of placing land and forest management in the hands of those who live within and depend on these landscapes. This initiative is not just about preserving trees; it is about securing livelihoods, protecting cultural heritage, and resisting the forces of dispossession that jeopardize rural and Indigenous communities across Mozambique and the Global South.

Exclusionary Conservation: A Threat to Livelihoods and Social Justice

Mainstream conservation models, often backed by international organizations, have increasingly adopted fortress-like approaches. These initiatives create “protected areas” by evicting local populations or imposing strict limitations on their use of natural resources. The result is the erosion of traditional livelihoods and a deepening of rural poverty. This is particularly egregious in countries like Mozambique, where 70% of the population relies on subsistence farming and forest resources for survival.

Mount Mabu offers a stark example of the stakes. The forest is not just an ecological treasure trove; it is home to communities whose ancestors have lived in harmony with its ecosystems for centuries. These communities rely on the forest for everything from food and firewood to spiritual practices. Displacing them would not only undermine their livelihoods but also sever their cultural ties to the land.

Justiça Ambiental’s Vision for Mount Mabu

JA!’s project aims to secure the rights of rural communities to lead and make decisions on any conservation initiatives for Mount Mabu by obtaining a DUAT (Direito de Uso e Aproveitamento da Terra), a legal land-use title that grants formal land rights. This title is a cornerstone of the community conservation model, as it ensures that the land remains under local stewardship. Unlike REDD+ or other commodified conservation mechanisms, this approach prioritizes ecological health alongside social equity.

The project’s objectives include gathering information on external conservation proposals, drafting Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with local leaders, and formally applying for a Community Conservation Area designation under Mozambique’s Conservation Law. This legal recognition would support communities in resisting external pressures, whether from logging companies, plantation investors, or misguided conservation schemes.

Vanessa Cabanelas from Justiça Ambiental emphasizes the importance of this approach:
“Community conservation is not just about protecting ecosystems. It’s about claiming agency for people to take charge of their futures. Mount Mabu’s conservation is inseparable from the survival and wellbeing of the communities who depend on it.”

A key component of the project is the construction of a community amphitheater. This space serves not only as a venue for meetings and cultural events but also as a testament to the value of local bioconstruction techniques (e.g., use of fired adobe bricks, grass roofing, etc.). A community leader from Mabu highlights that the amphitheater represents more than just a physical structure; it stands as a symbol of the community’s resilience and unity. It will serve as a space for collective learning, sharing knowledge, and planning a future that honors their land and cultural traditions.

The Broader Importance of Defending Tropical Forests

The fight to protect Mount Mabu is emblematic of a larger struggle against the commodification of nature. Tropical forests, which are vital to global climate stability, are increasingly being viewed as mere carbon stocks or economic assets. This perspective ignores their intrinsic value and the rights of those who call them home.

In Mozambique, the expansion of monoculture plantations, particularly rubber in Zambezia, poses a significant threat. These plantations not only replace biodiverse ecosystems with sterile landscapes but also exacerbate land conflicts. Research by scholars like Anselmo Matusse highlights the devastating social and ecological impacts of these projects, which often involve the displacement of rural communities and the loss of critical ecosystem services.

According to Matusse, the unchecked growth of monoculture plantations risks turning Mount Mabu into a battleground between corporate profit and ecological survival. Community-led conservation is our best hope for preserving this unique environment.

The rise of REDD+ and similar schemes compounds these issues by incentivizing conservation practices that exclude local participation. These projects often restrict traditional farming and foraging activities, pushing communities into deeper poverty. By contrast, community-led conservation models like the one in Mount Mabu offer a way forward. They align ecological goals with social justice, demonstrating that it is possible to protect forests while respecting the rights and knowledge of those who depend on them.

A Global Movement for Justice and a Call to Action

As climate change intensifies and deforestation accelerates, the stakes for tropical forests like Mount Mabu have never been higher. These ecosystems are critical not only for their biodiversity but also for the survival of millions of people. Yet, mainstream conservation models and market-based solutions continue to marginalize the very communities that have safeguarded these landscapes for generations.

JA!’s work with communities in Mount Mabu, supported by Grassroots International in 2023, is part of a broader effort to challenge the commodification of nature and offers a roadmap for a more just and sustainable approach. By placing land rights and local knowledge at the center of conservation efforts, they are challenging the status quo and paving the way for real solutions.

The future of tropical forests—and the communities that depend on them—hangs in the balance. In this moment of ecological and social crisis, it is imperative to amplify and support these grassroots initiatives.