The funding is intended for the acquisition of technical and technological resources, including helicopters, surveillance and monitoring drones, communication equipment and portable GPS devices.
Bicuar National Park, located in Huíla Province, requires an estimated investment of USD 4 million to carry out its first wildlife census, considered essential for the economic and tourism development of the conservation area.
The funds will be used to acquire technical and technological assets, including helicopters, surveillance and monitoring drones, communication equipment, portable GPS units, environmental management software, solar energy equipment, and gear for park rangers, such as uniforms, protective vests and tactical flashlights. These measures aim to improve park management and create conditions to attract private investment.
Speaking to Angop, the park administrator, José Maria Kandungu, explained that the reserve, covering approximately 7,900 square kilometres, has recorded growth in wildlife populations and has remained free from poaching for more than four years. However, the lack of updated statistical data limits the economic exploitation of the tourism potential of Bicuar National Park.
Kandungu added that over the past two years the park has received four lions (one male and three females), a number that has since increased to seven, with the aim of strengthening ecosystem balance.
Nevertheless, species such as zebra, wildebeest, ostrich, impala and buffalo are considered technically extinct in the park. Efforts are currently underway with the Ministry of the Environment to repopulate these species, a process that could be facilitated through the transfer of animals from other conservation areas in the country.
The administrator emphasised that the park is open to entrepreneurs interested in investing in ecotourism.
Source: Economia & Mercado
