(2009-10-28) Coastal erosion, which threatens to engulf Maputo's beaches over the next ten to fifty years, is the subject of a photographic exhibition coming to the capital in November.
From 21 November until 2 December the exhibition will be hosted by the Mozambican Photography Association at its gallery in central Maputo.
Photographer Michael Barrientos has put together the collection documenting how people use the beaches. Rather than photograph the progression of the physical deterioration of the coastline, Barrientos creates a portrait of the coast through the people.
According to Barrientos, the collapsing road between the fish market and the Costa do Sol neighbourhood is the most glaring example of erosion along the coast road. Repairs have been made and sea walls built in an effort to prevent the ocean's advance.
To illustrate part of the problem, one photograph shows a member of the Pentecostalist Mazione Church sitting under the exposed roots of a casuarine tree on Triunfo Beach. Casuarine trees were imported and planted by the Portuguese along the coastline to stop erosion, but they are sometimes cut down and used as firewood.
The Mozambican government has recently put together a multi-institutional technical team to try and identify solutions for the fight against erosion. The team will involve researchers from Mozambique's oldest university, the Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), the recently established Mozambique Technical University (UDM) and the Ehime University of Japan.
According to the director of the Coastal Zones Sustainable Development Centre, Manuel Poio, pilot areas have been selected in the districts of Chinde, at the mouth of the Zambezi, Inhassoro and Vilanculo, on the coast of Inhambane province, and the city of Beira, to undertake actions to control and prevent erosion.
Welcome Visitor 1835138. Today is Friday, July 30th 2010
(2009-10-28) Coastal erosion, which threatens to engulf Maputo's beaches over the next ten to fifty years, is the subject of a photographic exhibition coming to the capital in November.
