Mozambique - Environmental report : Pande Enh exploration area

Environmental Assessment/Analysis Reports _____ Report EOOt4 Moabiu - Gas .Engineernmg E Category B Environment Report Octber This report has been prepared by the Borrower or its Consultant  * J ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PANDE ENH EXPLORATION AREA by Paul Dutton, MSc Consultant Ecologist & Sheila Ramsay, MA Social Scientist Bazaruto Archipelago 2 October 1993  TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1. Terms of reference ................................. 1 2. Specific details required .......................... 1 3. Locality and general description of the Pande Exploration Area .................................... 2 4. Historic background .................................. 1 5. Vegetation and Habitats .............................. 2 6. Surface hydrology ................................ 4 7. Wildlife ............................................ 5 8. Avifauna ..................................... 7 9. Fresh water fish ..........................,. ..... 10 10. Herpetofauna ........................................ 10 11. Ariculture ........... 11 12. Recommendations ........... 12 13. Acknowledgements .................................... 14 14. References ........................... 15 Figure 1: Locality map .1 Photographs: .16  ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT: PANDE ENR EXPLORATION ARR& 1. Terms of reference: To provide ecological information for the World Bank/ IFC/N.I.G.A. to augment the Smedvig report done on belhalf of ENH in the Pande area of the Inhambane Province of Moqambique. 2. Specific details required: - present situation of vegetation i.e. habitats - list of dominant plant species - present status of wildlife - list of dominant wildlife species - surface hydrology - total area lying fallow - total area under cultivation - types of crops 3. Lccality and general description of the Pande exploration area: The area is situated on the eastern littoral of the Inhambane Province extending up to the Save River, 200km south of Beira city and 600km north of the capital city of Maputo (Figure 1). The climate is transitional between moist and arid tropical environments with an annual rainfall less than 800mm (Atlas Geografica de Moqambique 1980). The surface geology is derived from the tertiary/quaternary period when sands were transported by major river systems which once drained the interior (i.e. present day Botswana). The soils are mainly sandy. Soils with a higher clay fraction support hydromorphic grasslands and seasonal pans (depessions) which retain rain water. Coastal sand dunes, supporting salt and wind tolerant pioneer plant species, abut onto sandy beaches dissected by dendritic mangrove estuaries. Inland the vegetation ranges from hydromorphic grassland to savanna and closed canopy woodland giving the area its vegetational mosaic character. 4. Historic background: Early exploratory investigations of the area by various foreign interests indicated the presence of substantial reservoirs of natural gas. During this period, gas field number 4 ignited and burnt for 18 months. between October 1965 and 14 April 1966 (Mario Marques pers comm.). Subsequent wells were sunk up to the present and these are presently supplying gas to Vilankulo. a coastal development node lOOkm to the south. The local people are part of the Shangaan ethnic group whose language is Xitswa. 1  TANZANIA MALAWI( MOQAMB IQUE e111~~ ~ ~ 11 2Dt3O,Do1 ,Of~ ZIMBABWE 44-' Maputo 0 103 201 300 403 5OD Is Figure 1: Map of Mogambique indicating ENH's exploratory area, Parque Nacional do Zinave and tie proposed coastal conservation/tourism zone.. l  5. Vegetation or habitats (Wild & Fernandes, 1967; Palgraves, 1983): There are twelve distinct habitats in the area. viz; - coastal littoral with mobile sand dunes supporting sparse salt and wind tolerant vegetation (photo 1) - mangrove estuaries (photo 2) - Save river and associated floodplain - hydromorphic grasslands with palm and termitera thickets (photos 31 - seasonal pans (small depressions with rain fed water)(photo 41 - savanna grassland (photo 5) - deciduous miombo/dambo* woodland (photo 6) - mesic miombo/dambo woodland - Mopane Colophospermum mopane woodland - Cimbiri Androstachys iohnsoni woodland - blow-out area caused by 1965 gas explosion (photo 7) - fallow slash and burn agricultural fields (machambas) (photc 8 * miombo/dambo :s a Zambian term for Brachystecria woodland and associated high water table grasslands and pans. 5.1. Mobile coastal sand dunes with sparse, salt and wind tolerant vegetation: Coastal dune pioneers are represented by Scaevola thunbercrii, Ivomoea brasiliensis, Canavalia maritima merging with the dune sedge C.iverus maritima and grass Sporobolus vircrinicus. These species are replaced by shrubs such as Helichrysium kraussii, Pavetta e-Ientula, Mundulea sericea. Ochna beirensis, Euclea schimperi, and thence to more robust trees such as Annona senecalensis, Dovyalis loncispina, Mimusops caffra etc. 5.2. Mangrove estuaries: The coast contiguous to the exploration area has extensive areas of mangrove swamps, comprising at least six species: Indian mangrove Ceriops tacal Red mangrove Rhizophora mucronata Black mangrove Brucuiera gvmnorrhiza White mangrove Avicennia marina - Sonneratia Sonneratia alba Springtide mangrove Lumnitzera racemosa 5.3. Save river and associated floodplain: The Save river is broad, mainly dry during winter, with intact riverine forest dominated by SyzVyium quineense. Ficus sycomorus, Mimusops obtusifolia, Trichilia emetica, Rauvolfia caffra, Diospyros mespeliformis and Kigelia africana. The lower banks are protected by a dense growth of the shrub Grewia sulcata. 2  The associated aluvial floodplain resembles open parkland with large specimens of Sterculia roaersii. Kigel ia pinnata, Lonchocarpus capassa and Acacia albida. Summer rains cause the river to overspill its banks to fill depressions along its margins. These depressions or pans support water lilies Nym2haea sp. and emergent vegetation and are excellent habitat for water fowl. The non-indigenous floating aquatic Salvinia. which is creating problems in neighbouring countries, has invaded many of the shallower depressions. 5.4. Hydromorphic grassland with palm and termitera thickets: Soils, more clay than sand, support grassland with large knob thorn acacia trees Acacia nicrescens and isolated zlumps of palm thickets comprising Hy2haene crinata and Phoenix reclinata. Areas of high salinity support grass species such as Svorobolus virginicus, sedae Juncus kraussii, and salt plant Salicornia perrieri. 5.5- Savanna: The majority ot the exploration area is dominated by savanna reprenting a wide variety of robust tree species such as baobob or mbondeiro Adansonia dicitata and others like CordOyla africana, Sterculia rogersii, Kicellia pinnata, Lonchocarpus capassa, Sideroxylon inerme. Sclerocarva caffra. Albizia versicolor, and Combretum imberbe. Smaller edible fruit bearing trees include the monkey apple Strvchnos spinosa. S. innocua. and the toad tree Tabernaemontana elecans. In winter, a striking feature of the savanna is the burning bush creeper Combretum Paniculatum with . its profusion of red flowers. This savanna habitat produces some of Morabique's most valuable hard woods such as massassa Pterocarpus ancolensis. panga panga Millettia stuhlmannii. pod mahogany or chamfute Afzelia quanzensis, blackwood Dalbercia melanoxylon. and sandalwood - Spirostachvs africana. Unfortunately this valuable resource is being exploited without consideration for its its sustainablity. Furthermore, export of uncut logs is being favoured instead of first satisfying the national woodworking industry which provides employment opportunities and extended export earnings. Another feature of the savanna are the thickets on termite mounds (photo 9) dominated by tall trees such as wild tamarlnd Tamarindus indicus, Diospyros mespeliformis and Mimunops obtusifolia. The base of these termiteria thickets support dense clusters of Salvadora persica a plant which the local people use as an inhalant for relieving asthma. Dominant tall grass species of the savanna understory are Cvmbovocon sp. and Hvparrhenia sp. and form the principal source of combustible material to feed fires which frequently rage through the savanna. 3  5.6. Miombo/dambo woodland: Two species of trees Brachysteaia speciformis and Julbernadia qlobiflora with canopies of even height (> lOm) dominate this type of woodland. This habitat is characterized by deciduous or evergreen foliage depending upon the soil's water retention capacity. i major feature of miombo are the dambos or seasonal pans (small lakes) (photo 4) which are remnants of larger water bodies resulting from past periods of higher rainfall. These pans support a great variety of water birds and provide drinking water for most of the area's wildlife. 5.7. Mopane Colophospernmum mopane woodland: This type of habitat, on impervious soils of high sodic content, is dominated by this one species. 5.8. Cimbiri Androstachvs johnsonii woodland: Like the previous habitat, one species dominates. These mono-specific patches occur on calcium rich, red sandy soils. 5.9. Gas well No. 4 crater: Explosion, ignition and subsequent flooding of No. 4 well resulted in a depression approximately 4Dm deep and lOOm in diameter. The subsequent fire, which burnt for 18 months, totally denuded the vegetation over an area of about 250 OOOm' and sterilized the surrounding soil (photo 10). However, natural plant succession is taking place (photo 11) by plants such as Sesbania sp., Asclepias sp., Grewia sp., Cyperus sp.. and the dangerous invader weed Lantana camara which is associated with f disturbed soil. Grasses are represented by Urochloa mosambicensis, Dactvloctenium aecivptium, Panicum natalense, Melinis nervialumis, Cymbopogon excavatus. Chloris sp. and Androyoaon sp. 6. Surface hydroloy: ,The area's main source of surface fresh water emanate from:- -' '- Rio Save which is reduced in winter to about 1% of its normal summer flow, November to March, rises in Zimbabwe. floodplain lakes which derive their water when Rio Save i spills its banks, November to March. - ',- Rio Govuro which maintains a constant flow of water throughout the year from an underground fossil river system. - Dambos (wetlands) in the savanna and miombo which are maintained by rain water.  7. Wildlife: The wildlife situation in the general area is in a critical state having been the main source of red meat protein for the various military factions for the past 15 years (photo 12). Elephants, buffalo and hippo, once common in the region. have been hunted to near extinction. Likewise, species considered rare in Mogambique such as giraffe, roan, tsesebe, Niassa wildebeest and ostrich are, from recent accounts and preliminary surveys (Dutton & Ramsay, 1993) critically threatened with extinction. Military weapons, widely dispensed during this tragic period of conflict, have been the main cause of destruction. Parque Nacional de Zinave, which abuts on the western limit of the ENH exploration area (Figure 1), once supported a rich biodiversity in wildlife species. Zinave, with a luxury camp, attracted lucrat3v.e international tourism. Furthermore, wildlife. apart from its tourism value, provides the local population, using traditional hunting methods (photo 13), with its main source of protein. Predators suct as lion, leopard, hyena. jackal are all recorded - for the area, Lut now all are severely depleted because of hunting pressure and the paucity of prey species. Probably the last remaining population of dugong (the mythical mermaid) Ducong ducon on the entire east African coast occur in the shallow marine environment east of the ENH exploration area (Dutton & Zolho 1990). On the positive side, the area, in general, is still ecologically viable and with proper management arnd control of resource use, ^ can be rehabilitated to its former richness in biodiversity t (refer recommendations). * ., W The following list of 104 mammal species have are recorded for x the general area (Smithers & Tello 1976, Smithers 1983): Fourtoed elephant shrew Petrodromus tetradactylus X Shortsnouted elephant shrew Elephantulus brachvrhynchus Lesser red musk shrew Crocidura hirta Yellow golden mole Calcochloris obtusirostris .t Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat Epomophorus wahlberqi Peters epauletted fruit bat Epomophorus crvpturus p Angola freetailed bat Tadaria condylura * Little freetailed bat Tadarida pumila t Schreiber's longfingered bat Miniopterus schreibersi Lesser longfingered bat Miniopterus fraterculus p Schlieffens' bat Nvcticeius schlieffeni Banana bat Pipisstrellus nanus r Great brown bat Scotophilus aicas Yellow house bat Scotophilus niarita Lesser yellow house bat Scotophilus viridis Damara wooly bat Kerivoula arcentata Ethioian slitfaced bat Nycteris aethiopica EgyPtian slitfaced bat Nycteris thebaica 5  7. Wildlife: The wildlife situation in the general area is in a critical state having been the main source of red meat protein for the various military factions for the past 15 years (photo 12). Elephants, buffalo and hippo, once common in the region, have been hunted to near extinction. Likewise, species considered rare in Mocambique such as giraffe, roan, tsesebe, Niassa wildebeest and ostrich are. from recent accounts and preliminary surveys (Dutton & Ramsay, 1993) critically threatened with extinction. Military weapons, widely dispensed during this tragic pariod of conflict, have been the main cause of destruction. Parque Nacional de Zinave, which abuts on the western limit of the ENH exploration area (Figure 1), once supported a rich biodiversity in wildlife species. Zinave, with a luxury camp, attracted lucrative international tourism. Furthermore, wildlife, apart from its rourism value, provides the local population, using traditional hunting methods (photo 13), with its main source of protein. Predators such as lion, leopard. hyena, jackal are all recorded for the area. !?ut now all are severely depleted because of hunting pressure and the paucity of prey species: .Probably the last remaining population of dugong (the mythical merxaid) Dugona dugon on the entire east Atrican coast occur in the shallow marine environment east of the ENH exploration area * (Dutton & Zolho 1990). * On the positive side, the area, in general, is still ecologically viable and with proper management and control of resource use, can be rehabilitated to its former richness in biodiversity (refer recommendations). i The following list of 104 mammal species have are recorded for the general area (Smithers & Tello 1976, Smithers 1983): Fourtoad elephant shrew Petrodromus tetradactylus Shortsnouted elephant shrew Elephantulus brachvrhvnchus Lesser red musk shrew Crocidura hirta Yellow golden mole Calcochloris obtusirostris . Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat Epomophorus wahlbergi Peters epauletted fruit bat Evomaphorus crvoturus Angola freetailed bat Tadaria condylura i Little freetailed bat Tadarida Pumila : Schreiber's longfingered bat Miniopterus schreibersi S Lesser longfingered bat Mini opterus fraterculus t Schlieffens' bat Nycticeius schlieffeni . Banana bat Pipisstrellus nanus e Great brown bat Scotophilus gicas 4,Yellow house bat Scotophilus nicrita Lesser yellow house bat Scotophilus viridis z Dasara wooly bat Kerivoula arcrentata Ethioian slitfaced bat Nycteris aethiopica Egyptian slitfaced bat Nycteris thebaica 5  Hildebrandt's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hildebrandti Lander's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus landeri Bushveld horseshoe bat Rhinolophus simulator Commerson's leafnosed bat Hipposideros commersoni Sundevall's leafnosed bat Hipposideros caffer Persian trident bat Triaenops persicus Bushbaby Galago crassicaudatus Nightape G. senegalensis Chacma baboon Papio ursinus Samango monkey CercoPithecus albogularis Vervet monkey C. Pyvervnthrus Pangolin Manis temmincki Spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta Cheetah Acinonyx iabatus Leopard Panthera Pardus Lion P. leo Caracal Felis caracal Serval F. serval Wildcat F. libyra Hunting dog Lvcaon pictus Sidestriped jackal Canis adusus Clawless otter Aonyx capensis Honey badger Mellivora capensis Striped polecat Ictonyx striatus Civet Viverra civetta Largespotted genet Genetta tigrir.a Large grey mongoose Herpestres ichneumon Slender mongoose H. sanciuineus Whitetailed mongoose Ichneumia albicauda Water mongoose Atilax paludinosus Banded mongoose Muncros muncro Dwarf mongoose Helocale parvula Antbear OrycteroPus afer Elephant Loxodonta africana Tree hyrax Dendrohyrax arboreus Dugong Ducona duaon (coastal) Burchell's zebra Eauus burchelli Bushpig Potamochoerus porcus Warthog Phacochoerus aethiopicus Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis Grey duiker Sylvicapra grimmia Red duiker Cenhalophus natalensis Suni Neotracius moschatus Oribi Ourebia ourebi Steenbuck Raphicerus campestris Sharp's grey buck Raphicerus sharpei Kudu Traoelaphus strepsiceros Nyala Tracrelaphus ancrasi Bushbuck Tracelaphus scriptus Impala Aeovceros melampus Reedbuck Redunca arundinum Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus Sable Hippotracus niger Eland Taurotracus oryx Buffalo Syncerus caffer 6  Blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus taurinus. C.t. iohnstoni Lichtenstein's hartebeest AlcelaPhus lichtensteini Scrub hare Leous saxatilis Cape hare LePus caDensis : Hottentot molerat Crvptomvs hottentotus Porcupine Hystris africaeaustralis Spring hare Pedetes caoensis Rock dormouse GraPhiurus Platvops Dormouse Graphiurus murinus Sun squirrel Heliosciurus rufobrachium Bush squirrel Paraxerus cepapi Red squirrel Paraxerus palliatus Greater cane rat Thryonomys swinderianus ' Creek rat Pelomvs fallax ; Spiny mouse Acomys spinosissimus Single striped mouse Lemniscomvs criselda . Mogambique forest mouse Thamnomvs cometes Forest mouse T. dolichurus Pygmy mouse Leggada minutoides Rudd's mouse Uranomys ruddi Multimammate mouse Praomys natalensis Blacktailed tree rat Thallomvs paedulcus Red veld rat Aethomys chrysophilus Lesser gerbil Gerbillurus vaeba Peters' gerbil Tatera leucoQaster * Giant rat Cricetomvs cambianus Pouched mouse Saccostomus campestris ..: Grey pygmy climbing mouse Dendromus melanotis . Lesser chestnut climbing mouse D. mystacalis Fat mouse Steatomys pratensis 8. Avifauna: A total of 424 different birds are reported to occur in the ; general area (Maclean 1985). The following is a preliminary bird checklist of indicator species for the habitats previously described. ;; 8.1. Coastal littoral: . White pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus -- Pinkbacked pelican P. rufescens s Reed cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus Greater flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber ; Lesser flamingo P. minor ' African fish eagle Haliaeetus vocifer Osprey Pandion haliaetus Turnstone Arenaria interpres t Crab plover Dromas ardeola Greyheaded gull Larus cirrocephalus C Caspian tern Hydroprocne caspia Swift tern Sterna beraii Mangrove kingfisher Halcyon seneQaloides Wetlands (excluding the Save River): Dabchick Tachybaptus ruficollis 7 :f  } White pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus Pinkbacked pelican P. rufescens Whitebreasted comorant Phalacrocorax carbo Grey heron Ardea cinerea 6 Goliath heron A. Qoliath t Great white egret Eqretta alba Little egret E. garzetta Openbilled stork Anastomus lamelligerus . Saddlebilled stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis Y Yellowbilled stork Mvcteria ibis i Sacred ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus Hladeda ibis Bostrychia haaedash African spoonbill Platalea alba *- Whitefaced duck Dendrocvana viduata (1 000 counted 24/9/93) -!Whltebacked duck Thalassornis leuconotus (400) Egyptian goose ALopochen aecrvPtiacus Hottentot teal Anas capensis ; Redbilled teal A. ervthrorhvncha ] Pygmy goose Nettapus auritus (400) K Rnobbilled duck Sarkidiornis melanotos Spurwinged goose Plectropterus cambensis (500) African fish eaqle Haliaeetus vocifer African marsh harrier Circus ranivorus . African jacana Actophilornis africanus :. Lesser jacana Microparra capensis . Blacksmith plover Vanellus armatus .z Moorhen Gallinula chloropus *s Ethiopian snipe Gallinacro nicripennis { . Pied kingfisher Ceryle rudis -Z 8.2. Grassland: ' Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis J Martial eagle Polemaetus bellicosus Blackbreasted snake eagle Circaetus aallicus t: Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus .' Dickinson's kestrel F. dickinsoni -Common quail Coturnix coturnix . Kori bustard Ardeotis kori C Blackbellied korhaan Eupodotis melanacaster M Marsh owl Asio capensis Palm swift Cypsiurus parvus Flappet lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea Pinkthroated longclaw Macronyx ameline _ Yellowrumped widow Euplectes capensis 8.3. Savanna: ^ Ostrich Struthio camelus ' Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis Marabou stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius Hooded vulture Necrosyrtes monachus Whitebacked vulture Gyps africanus Tawny eagle Acruila rapax Brown snake eagle Circaetus cinereus 8  Dark chanting goshawk Melierax metabates Crested francolin Francolinus seohaena Helmeted guineafowl Numida meleanris Doublebanded sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus Redeyed dove Streptopelia semitorpuata Cape turtle dove S. capicola Emeraldspotted dove Turtur chalcospilos Brownheaded parrot Poicephalus crvptoxanthus Grey lourie Corythaixoides concolor Diederik cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius Wood owl Strix woodfordii Giant eagle owl Bubo lacteus Moqambique niqhtjar Caprimulcus fossii Redfaced mousecird Colius indicus Little bee-eater Merops Pusillus Greater honeyquide Indicator indicator European swallcow Hirundo rustica Lesser striped swallow Hirundo abyssinica Forktailed dronqo Dicrurus adsimilis Pied crow Ccr::s albus Sombre bulbul .-Andropadus imoortunus Whitethroated robin Cossypha humeralis Blackheaded analis ADalis melanocephala Longtailed shrike Corvinella melanoleuca Greyheaded busn shrike Malaconotus blanchoti Glossy starlinq Lamprotornis nitens Redbilled oxpecker Buphaaus erythrorhvnchus Purplebanded sunbird Nectarinia bifasciata Redbilled quelea Ouelea auelea Lemonbreasted canary Serinus atroaularis 8.4. Miombo/dambo/Mopane woodland: Cuckoo hawk Aviceda cuculoides Bat hawk Macheiramphus alcinus Longcrested eacle Lophaetus occinitalis Lizard buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus Gymnogene Polyboroides tvous Bluespotted dove Turtur afer African cuckoo Cuculus cularis Pearlspotted owl Glaucidium Perlatum Pennantwinged nightjar Macroditteryx vexillaria Woodland kingfisher Halcyon seneQalensis . - Rackettailed roller Coracias sPatulata Little spotted woodpecker Campethera cailliautii Blackheaded-oriole Oriolus larvatus Oliveheaded weaver Ploceus olivaceiceps (endemic) 8.5. Riverine: Darter Anhinqa melanoaaster Greenbacked heron Butorides striatus Blackcrowned night heron Nvcticorax nvcticorax Whitebacked night heron Gorsachius leuconotus Hamerkop Scopus umbretta Hadeda ibis Bostrychia hacedash 9  Yellowbilled kite Milvus migrans Bat hawk MacheiramDhus alcinus Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus Natal francolin Francolinus natalensis African finfoot Podica senegalensis Whitef ronted plover Charadrius marginatus Water dikkop Burhinus vermiculatus African skimmer Runchops flavirostris Green pigeon Treron calva Purplecrested lourie Tauraco corphvreokophus Green coucal Ceuthmochares aereus Burchell's coucal Centropus superciliosus Pel's fishing otl Scotopelia peli Narina trogon Analoderma narina Giant kingfisher Ceryle maxima Trumpeter hornbill Bycanistes bucinator Heuglin's robin CossXpha heuclini Paradise flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis African pied waatail Motacilla acuimo Chestnutfronted helmetshrike Pricnops scopifrons 9. Freshwater tish: The following is a partial list of fish recorded for the Save river, associated floodplain lakes and rain-fed seasonal depressions. Cornish-jack Mormyrops deliciosus Tiger-fish Hydrocynus vittatus Spot-tail Alestes so. Minnow Barbus spp. Red-spotted mudsucker Labeo rubroounctatus Mudsucker L spp. Catfish or barbel Clarius spp. Bream or kurper Tilaoia mossambica Redbreasted bream T. melanopleura Makreel or silver barbel EutroDius depressirostrus Squeaker Synodontis sp. Freshwater eel Anciuilla sp. Indian ocean tarpon Megalops cyprinoides Lung-fish Protopterus annectens brieni Kill fish Nothobranchius rachovii 10. Herpetofauna: Five species of marine turtle occur in the contiguous sea environment, three* of which nest on the nearby islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago. Olive ridley turtle Lenidochelys olivacea Loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta* (photo 14) Hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata Green turtld Chelinia mvdas* Leatherback turtle Dermochelus coriacea* 10  Crocodile Crocodvlus niloticus. and water monito Veranus : niloticus. the Eastern hinged terrapin Pelusios castanoides castanoides, and P. subnicer occur in the river and lakes. The terrestrial habitats support a large %!ariety of other reptiles including; Bush monitor lizard Varanus albiaularus, Black mamba Dendroaspis polvlepis Green mamba P. augusticeps Python Python sebae Puffadder Bitis arietans Night Adder Causus rhombeatus Forest cobra Naia melanoleuca 11. Agriculture: 1.1. Fallow agricultural fields (machambas): The recent busn w,ir caused most the populaticn to abandon their slash and burn ishiftingj type of agricultural lands in search of security. '!ow after 15 years the fallow fields have well developed secondary vegetation comprising mainly large leaf * Combretum spp (photo 8). The total area lying fallow is small, covering approximately l-k of the ENH exploratory area. 11.2. New agricultural lands: Residents (approximately 2 728 according to the current ENH survey) have only recently started returning to their lands, with the result that very little area is presently under cultivation (< 1). 11.3. Crops: Planted crops in the savanna habitat comprise mainly maize, millet, sorghum, and melons. .:hile in the areas of high water table (nearer the coast) sweet potatoes. cassava. bananas, pawpaw and sugar cane are grown. However, the local residents have a long history of deriving food, medicine, and fibres from indigenous species. ; Typical wild fruits are: mahlala Strychnos spinosa. kuakwa S. innocua, makanye Sclerocarva caffra, mbondeiro Adansonia dicritata (photo 15), tjinzo Hvphkene natalensis. titjinzo Phoenix reclinata, tikuri Syzvqium cordatum. madokomelo LandolPhia kirkii, hlanzo Mimusops caffra and many others. Alcoholic drinks are made from the sap (uchemal of the palm Hyphaene natalensis and fruits of makanye Sclerocarva caffra, mphimbi Garcinia livingstonei, titi Artabotrvs brachypetalus and many other species. "Toothbrushes" with anteseptic qualities are made from hangula Euclea schrimperi, and the hlehlu creeper serves as a shampoo or soap. - ~~~~~11  Indigenous plantrs .ith curative properties for treating physical and mental ailmnnts are too nuimerous to list . For Pxample Aloe leaves serve as a strong antiseptic, leaves of Salvadora persira relieve asthma. roots of Hvphaene natalensis neutralize the rIradlv ztina of a stonefish Svnanceia verrucosa. | Fibres derivod from the palm Hvuhaene natalensis and the Sterculia roaersii tree are utilized to produce rope, baskets, sleeping mats etc. Robust water *-'ntainers, hee hives and cloth are produced from the bark or thoe "ilbernadia olobiflora tree. 12. Recommendations: * Although nnto :irt ' t our brief *-:e w.ould like to make the followinq slaqnocrions and recommendations:- 1. That F:.E s e principal developer in the area, play a pivotal role isslstina with the rehabilitation process and conservation Th'e wildlands resource by, a) Facfl:'atina environmental studies using regional experts. :ncLu'fina Mocambique's bioloay and social science faculties of Urilversidade Eduardo !'ondlane. wzho are familiar with African environments and social systems . b) Assisting in the rehabilitation of Parque Nacional de Zinave (Figure 1) w.hich is contiauous with their area of exploration. c) Providing logistical and financial support for a conservation officer to assist the Direccao Nacional de Florestas e Fauna Bravia Jith conservation extension, and to control the poaching of wildlife and timber. Senhor Andre Chinoce Macuiane, member of the ENH staff, would be an ideal candidate for this , important responsibility, because of his profound knowledge of the environment and its natural resources. d) Creating a nature reserve w.-ihich w-zill include Lake Chemeja (boundaries to be established after proper ground surveys). ENH can develop a small rustic camp overlooking this outstanding lake (refer section 5.6) to accommodate visitors. Local residents living next to Lake Chemeja, such as Inocence Farieda, Nordim and Justino Eban. should be appointed trustees and beneficiaries (IUCN 1980; Cernia 19857 Tinley 1991; Brandon 1992; Wells 1992) of this proposed nature reserve. e) Gas well No. 4 crater. .e regard as posing no I ecological threat to the immediate environment. In fact it should be promoted as a tourist attraction (photo 16). The rusting perimeter fence should be removed. Natural plant succesion should I be allowed to re-v,eaetate the area. However. the invading Lantana I weed should be removed from the environs of the crater and burnt. 12  A coastal strip. e?ast of the ENH explcration area, of at least 5km wide includinn Pio Guvuro extendinn from the Save River to Inhassoro IFiqtirP 1). should be 'jesimnated and proclaimed a "Green belt" .:I accommodate conservation and recreational facilities. ENH should urqe Fhe district authority to prohibit mechanized bush clearing '-rerations similar to the one near Panda 1. Physical and -srhetic impacts of the .arious .:ells on the natural envirnmrTI'~nt are limited to relatively small areas once the drillina .nd -appina operations have been completed (photo 17 ). However. 1'his situation .ould change drastically if gas was to be laid {rn in the exploratory area- Careful planning for peri-urban deveIc:nment would then be a priority to avoid socio-ecolocical :roblems from developing. Supplying gas to the centres of T:ih.,--r,ro and Vilankulo, to encourage development I there, is a SoU dtl fecision. The main camp *'D ' ! should receive the attention of a regional landscape caro-nr-r - alve it an envircnmental "face-lift". The * use of local :'ldionous trees and plants. bird baths etc will give the camp -l n tranquil character. Pleasant suroundings are - known to impro:' !,.e efficiency and wzell being of the people who work in this rno -if environment (Pamsay 19891. I Finally, ENH should include in its budgetry requirements from the World Bank, additional contingency funding to accommodate these conservation issues. as part of the Bank's Global Environmental Facility commi tment. i Estimated expenditure for one year .:ould be (SUSL:- i Environmental and Resource Surveys .... .............. 30 000 Logistical assistence for Parque Nlacicr.al do Zinave .2 25 000 r Annual salary for principal conservation officer ..--- 10 000 Annual salary tfr asssistant conserva-icn officer .... 5 000 Contigency expences ............. .. ................... 10 000 TOTAL ............................................ SUS 80 000 I I' ; ~~~~~~~~~13  13. Acknowledqements: Our grateful thanks to Engineer !!ario i-'arques tor inviting us to do undertake this preliminary ecological study of the ENH exploration area. Thanks aLso f- riroduction engineer Victor Julien and officer Andre Chinoce !-'achuiane for their assistance. i Paul Dutton. - Sheila Ramsay, MA Consultant E :o! !)Tist Social Scientist I Arquipelago cdo Eazaruto 29 de Setembro 1993 14  13. References: ;Atlas {;ooqrafico Pepublica de- "-ocambique. 1980. Vol.l. Hinisterio da Etlucacao. Brandon. 1a92. People and Parks. rhe Wlorld Bank. World Wildlife Fund and USAID. W-lashington, DC. Cernea, ". d. 1985. Putting people first: Sociological variables in rural development. New York in Wells, M. K. Coates Palqrave. K. 1983. Trees of Southern Africa. C. Struik Publishers. Cape Town. Dutton. T.P. .and R. Zolho. 1990. Conservation Master Plan for sustainable rdevelopment of the Bazaruto Archipelago. Report commissioned t:. .WF(International) for the tMinisterio da Agricultura. "-hcambique. Dutton. - mnd S.A. Pamsay. 1993. Preliminary ecological survey of Parq'xe Nacional de Zinave. Peport for DNFFB. Internart-3nal Union for Conser';ation of Nature and Natural Resources I hTUCN . 1980. W.orld conservation strategy: Living resource conservation for sustainable development in Wells, M. ! K. Brandon. 1992. People and Parks. The l!orld Bank. World Wildlife Fund. USAID. Tello, J.L. & T.P. Dutton. 1979. Reconhecimento Ecologico da Regiao Povuma'Lugenda. em Vista a Creacao r3e uma Parque Nacional/Internacional. Maclean, 5.L. 1985. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa. The Trustees of the John Volker Bird Book Ftund. Cape Town. Ramsay, S. 1989. The therapeutic use of ':ilderness. Unpublished document presented at the Southern African Wilderness Conference. Technikon Natal, Durban. Smithers R.H.N. & J.L.P. Tello. 1976. Checklist and Atlas of the Mammals of M-lozambique. National M-luseums and Monuments. Salisbury. Smithers R.H.N. 1985. The Mlammals of the Southern African Subregion. University of Pretoria. Tinley, K.L. 1991. Stategy for the most beneficial usage of Mo;ambique's Wilderness Resources. FAO/UN Contract DP 9/7 MOZ/86/003. Wells, M. & K. Brandon. 1992. People and Parks. The World Bank, World Wildlife Fund, USAID. Wild,H. & A. Fernandes. 1967. Flora Zambesiaca, MO. Collins, Salisbury. 15  -~~~~~~~ - a. I. _ - -- =. ^.- .':5 - - -' -.e _!TH oxictraor-z - = ~ - -se *~~~~ - - '.C' Cl _ . - . ..- _ . 0ho1c ' -