Locally protected forests : status, character and challenges a case study of Inhambane Province, southern Mozambique

Mozambique has undocumented forest patches that are cultural landscapes and locally protected as heritage sites. Using the case of Inhambane Province, in this paper, we present the status and purposes of forest patches protected by local communities and discuss threats working against local protection. Findings point out that these heritage forests are reservoirs for biodiversity conservation and the local system of conservation is effective, but there are challenges local custodians face to safeguard heritage forests, ranging from illegal logging, misrecognition of customary protection and lack of legislation enforcement. We argue that the existence of heritage forests requires collaboration between entities dealing with forests, heritage and conservation. We suggest strategies to increase protection in the Inhambane Province and the Mozambique context. This will support local institutions in the protection of heritage forests, as biodiversity reservoirs and in keeping heritage practices and the customary protection of heritage forests alive.