The children rushed out as soon as the boat docked, moored next to empty handmade fish traps. Greg Carr was at the head of the group of tourists climbing ashore. He lifted one child into the air, made faces at another, and greeted adults with familiar pats on the back. Carr, an enthusiastic American who wears khaki pants and sports a Boy Scout smile, has spent considerable time in Mozambican villages like this one over the past three years, interacting with officials and elders alike. locality in hot red dust weather.
Build relationships
Carr’s smile grew wider when he saw Paulo Maja Cunene, the area’s overseer. The tech millionaire turned philanthropist needed Maja Cunene’s help to reach an agreement with the villagers. Carr had risked millions of dollars to revive a national park across the river—the Gorengs, an area once known for its vast savannas and lush wetlands. He believed a restored park would lift the area out of poverty, and success depended on the cooperation of villages like Vinho.
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The importance of Vinho
Vinho is a subsistence farming community of 280 adults and twice as many children, one of 15 villages along the Gorgonzola border. It has a school for fifth graders and a water pump that teenage girls use to fill plastic bottles while carrying babies on their backs. As Carr and Vinho’s leaders sat in wooden chairs covered by blue plastic tarps, the villagers gathered.
Majacunene spoke first, telling the crowd that restoring Gorongosa would bring new jobs, health clinics and money to Vinho. He asked for the community’s cooperation: no more fires, no more killing animals. The villagers nodded in agreement. Majacunene led a chorus of cheers, pumping his fists in the air, and the crowd responded enthusiastically.
Conservation challenges
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After the meeting, Roberto Zolho, Gorongosa’s warden, informed Carr that the people of Vinho were responsible for many fires in the park, which lost land to farming but devastated the ecosystem. Carr smiled wryly, realizing the absurdity of the situation. “Well, here we go,” he said. “You know, it starts somewhere.”
Carr has embarked on one of the largest personal commitments in African conservation history. He has pledged to spend up to $40 million over 30 years to restore Gorongosa National Park, an almost unprecedented time frame in a sector where most donors commit to just a few years. Carr’s plan includes one of the continent’s largest animal reintroduction efforts, aiming to answer the important question of how to spur development without destroying the environment.
A declining gem
Gorengs was once one of Africa’s most valuable parks, home to dense herds of buffalo and elephants, along with many other wildlife species. During the 1960s and 70s, it was a popular destination for celebrities and tourists. However, Mozambique’s 16-year civil war that broke out shortly after the country gained independence from Portugal in 1975 devastated the park. Anti-government forces used the park as a hideout, and subsequent battles and poaching left the park in ruins.
Vision for Recovery
When the war ended in 1992, the Gorengs were in dire shape. The Mozambican government has cleared many land mines, but the park’s infrastructure has been destroyed and animal numbers have plummeted. Despite the bleak outlook, Carr saw potential. He believes that with adequate investment and local support, the park can be revived.
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In 2004, Carr signed an agreement with the Mozambican Ministry of Tourism, initially committing $500,000 to restore the park. His commitment grew and by 2005 he pledged up to $40 million over 30 years. The deal gave Carr’s foundation joint control of park operations with the Mozambican government, which retained ownership.
Engage the community
Restoring Gorongosa requires more than just funding; it requires the cooperation of local communities. Carr spends considerable time in these villages explaining the benefits of ecotourism and addressing concerns. At Nhatsoco, a settlement on the slopes of Mount Gorongosa, Carr sought the blessing of Samatenje, the mountain’s spiritual leader. After initial opposition and cultural misunderstandings, Samatenje eventually supported the project, marking an important step forward.
Building trust
Carr’s efforts to build trust with local leaders are still underway. In Sanjuanita, the community led by Marcelino Manuel, Carr faced skepticism about his intentions. He addressed these concerns directly, emphasizing the importance of trust and the common good. An older man was skeptical, recalling past negative experiences with outsiders, but Samuel Antonio, a former soldier, spoke in favor of the project, highlighting its potential to create jobs and economic improvement. This support helped influence the community and Manuel agreed to conduct a ceremony for the park.
Personal commitment
Carr, who grew up in Idaho and studied history at Utah State University, made his fortune in telecommunications before turning to philanthropy. His passion for human rights and the environment took him to Mozambique, where he now spends about every two months working on the Gorongosa project. Carr’s approach combines financial investment with a deep personal commitment to the people and ecosystems of the region.
Conclusion
Greg Carr’s ambitious project to restore Gorengs National Park is testament to his belief in the power of conservation and community engagement. By investing in park restoration and working closely with local villages, Carr hopes to create a sustainable model for economic development and environmental conservation. His efforts bring a glimmer of hope to one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes, proving that with determination and cooperation, we can rebuild and thrive.
Source: https://www.phonggdkrongpac.edu.vn
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