Huambo: At least 1,004 jobs have been created in Huambo province since 2020 as part of the forest restoration programme in public areas, which is being implemented by private concessionary companies, ANGOP has learnt.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the companies involved in this initiative include Reform Reflorestamento, which has created 517 jobs in the Sanguengue forest area (Cachiungo). Esplendor Florestal has generated 155 jobs across the municipalities of Cuima, Cachiungo, and Chinjenje. Meanwhile, Macroservice has employed 112 workers in the Mundundu (Ucuma) and Chicoco (Chinjenje) areas.
Additionally, the Almeida company is developing repopulation initiatives in the Londundu forest area, Cachiungo, creating 200 jobs. Bundi e Filhos is contributing with 20 jobs in the Cuima area. This data was shared by Luisa Filomena de Sousa, head of the Forestry Development Institute (IDF) department, who also noted the planting of more than six thousand seedlings of various species within the designated forest perimeters.
The programme has also involved Niva Zamba, which plans to reforest the Muangunja polygon in Ca¡la, and Everudi, which will operate in the Pedras Candumbu region in Chicala-Cholohanga. Both companies are currently in the process of recruiting personnel.
Ms de Sousa highlighted that Huambo province possesses 11 public forest areas, many of which are waiting for concessions to enable further reforestation projects. The overarching aim of the programme is to combat climate change, restore biodiversity, and protect the region's water resources.
Reforestation efforts are crucial in reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels through photosynthesis, as carbon is sequestered in plant biomass and soils during plant growth.
