Luanda: The director of the Forestry Development Institute (IDF) in Lunda-Norte, Teodoro Capingana, has emphasized the necessity for technological solutions such as drones to monitor the region's dense forests effectively. These technologies are seen as vital for identifying illegal activities like logging, poaching, and burning in real time.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Capingana highlighted the proposal to implement these technological solutions has already been submitted to the Ministry of the Environment. This initiative is considered a crucial alternative to address the shortage of environmental inspectors in the province. He pointed out that the lack of inspectors, transportation, and technological tools, such as surveillance cameras and georeferencing systems, has contributed to a rise in poaching activities, particularly in remote areas.
Capingana reported significant declines in wildlife populations, including species such as wild boar, paca§a, golungo, springbok, elephant, hippopotamus, buffalo, and boa constrictor, due to rampant poaching in municipalities like Lucapa, X¡-Cassau, Cambulo, Caungula, Cuango, and Luremo. He stated that the current human, logistical, and technological resources are insufficient to combat these threats to the ecosystem, underscoring the importance of technological interventions.
Additionally, Capingana stressed the importance of involving traditional authorities in efforts to curb illegal activities, suggesting that awareness and environmental education initiatives should be conducted in collaboration with the IDF. He also noted the potential for forestry investment in Lunda-Norte, which has a productive forestry area of approximately 5 million hectares, though current timber exploitation is minimal and carried out by small concessionaires.
Lunda-Norte, consisting of 19 municipalities and a population exceeding one million, boasts rich biodiversity. The Carumbo Lagoon region, in particular, is noted for its varied ecosystems, including forests, savannas, and wetlands, and forms part of the broader Angolan biomes, characterized by tropical fauna and flora.
