As soon as the boats pulled up to the riverbank and moored beside the empty handmade fish cages, the children came running. Greg Carr was at the head of the line of tourists clambering ashore. He lifted one child into the air, made faces at another and patted an adult on the shoulder. Carr, an enthusiastic American in khakis and a Boy Scout smile, has spent much of the past three years in Mozambique’s villages, talking with officials and local elders in the hot red dust.
Build relationships
Carl’s smile widens when he sees Paul Maia Kunene, who is in charge of the area. The tech multimillionaire turned philanthropist needs Maia Kunene’s help to strike a deal with the villagers. Carl is risking millions of dollars to restore the national park across the river, Gorones, an area once known for its vast grasslands and lush wetlands. He believes the restored park will lift the region out of poverty, and the key to success lies in the cooperation of villages like Vigno.
The Importance of Vinho
A self-sufficient farming community of 280 adults and twice as many children, Vigno is one of 15 villages along the Gorgonzola border. It has a school that teaches students through fifth grade and a water pump that teenage girls use to fill plastic jugs while carrying babies on their backs. As Carr and Vigno’s leaders sat on wooden chairs shaded by a blue plastic tarp, villagers gathered.
Mayakunene spoke first, telling the crowd that restoring Gorongosa would bring new jobs, health clinics and money to Winyo. He asked for the community’s cooperation: no more arson, no more killing of animals. The villagers nodded in agreement. Mayakunene pumped his fist and led the crowd in cheers, which the crowd responded with enthusiasm.
Conservation Challenges
After the meeting, Roberto Zorho, the ranger at Gorongosa, told Carr that people in Vigno were responsible for many of the fires in the park, which cleared land for farming but destroyed the ecology. Carr smiled wryly, realizing the absurdity of the situation. “Well, let’s do it,” he said. “You know, it all starts somewhere.”
Carl has embarked on one of the largest individual commitments in African conservation history. He has pledged up to $40 million over 30 years to restore Gorongosa National Park, an almost unheard of commitment as most donors only commit for a few years. Carl’s plan includes one of the largest animal reintroduction efforts on the continent and aims to answer the critical question of how to promote development without destroying the environment.
A pearl in decline
Once one of Africa’s most cherished parks, the Gorens was home to herds of buffalo, elephants and other wildlife. It was a popular destination for celebrities and tourists in the 1960s and 1970s. However, the park was devastated by the 16-year civil war that broke out shortly after Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Rebels used the park as a refuge, and the ensuing fighting and poaching left the park in ruins.
Vision of Renaissance
When the war ended in 1992, Gorens National Park was a shambles. The Mozambican government had cleared many of the mines, but the park’s infrastructure had been damaged and the animal population had plummeted. Despite the bleak outlook, Carl saw potential. He believed that with enough investment and local support, the national park could be revived.
In 2004, Carr signed an agreement with the Mozambique Ministry of Tourism, initially pledging $500,000 to help restore the park. His commitment grew, and by 2005 he had pledged up to $40 million over 30 years. Under the agreement, the Carr Foundation shares control of park operations with the Mozambican government, which retains ownership.
Community Involvement
Restoring Gorongosa will require more than just funding; it will require the cooperation of local communities. Carr has spent a great deal of time in these villages, explaining the benefits of ecotourism and addressing people’s concerns. In Nasoko, a settlement on the slopes of Gorongosa, Carr sought the blessing of Samatengje, the mountain’s spiritual leader. After initial resistance and cultural misunderstandings, Samatengje eventually blessed the project, marking an important step forward.
establish trust
Carl has been working to build trust with local leaders. In the community of San Juanita, led by Marcelino Manuel, Carl’s intentions are met with skepticism. He confronts these concerns head-on, emphasizing the importance of trust and mutual benefit. An elder expresses skepticism, recalling past bad experiences with outsiders, but former soldier Samuel Antonio expresses support for the project, emphasizing the jobs and economic improvements it could bring. This support helps convince the community, and Manuel agrees to hold a ceremony for the park.
Personal Commitment
Carl grew up in Idaho, studied history at Utah State University, and made his fortune in telecommunications before turning to philanthropy. His passion for human rights and the environment led him to Mozambique, where he now spends every other month working on the Gorongosa project. Carl’s approach combines financial investment with a deep personal commitment to the people and ecology of the region.
in conclusion
Greg Carr’s ambitious Gorens National Park restoration project is a testament to his belief in the power of conservation and community engagement. By investing in the park’s revitalization and working closely with local villages, Carr hopes to create a sustainable model for economic development and environmental protection. His efforts offer a glimmer of hope for one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes, showing that with determination and collaboration, rebuilding and prosperity is possible.
Categories: Shark Tank
Source: svlsf.edu.vn