The people of the Bazaruto archipelago, which is located along the coast of the Vilankulo and Inhassoro districts in Inhambane province, southern Mozambique, are demanding funds that tour operators channel to the government via the Bazaruto National Park, the company that manages the archipelago, and which should be given to the residents..

According to a DW which quotes the local community, every year, the tourist operators in this region have to hand over around two million meticais to the community. But in the last five years the annual payments have only been made twice, and they have now decided to expel the tourists as a demand.

In the same publication, the president of the Kanhihwedho association on the island of Benguera, Correia João Mazive, explained that the 20% given to the park as a government entity, which then gives the money to the community, no longer reaches the residents. That's why the population decided to demonstrate.

According to João Mazive, this is already the second protest carried out by the population.

Glória Cossa, a resident of the Bazaruto archipelago, says that the community is driving tourists away because they are starving. According to her, the money promised has not reached the local population, while tour operators are charging large sums of money to those looking for accommodation.

"The park doesn't do anything for us and we're suffering from hunger and no drinking water. We can't fish either, because the park inspectors control and arrest our boats, so we're tired and we don't want anyone here in our community," says Glória Cossa.

For his part, the head of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, Armando Nguenha, acknowledged that there were flaws in the channeling of social responsibility funds to the local community, pointing out that there was an impasse in the negotiations with the community, which did not agree with the park's decision and was asking for the withdrawal of tour operators.

"We still don't have a definitive solution, because the community doesn't accept our proposals, they don't agree with our answers," said Armando Nguenha.

Meanwhile, the district director of Tourism, Lucas Vilankulos, said that the government is in constant contact with the community structure to prevent the vandalization of tourist establishments.

(Photo DR)