Biodiversity is defined as the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat. A high level of biodiversity is usually considered to be important and desirable.
Green Resources is committed to preserving, protecting and developing biodiversity. In order to do this, base-line studies and monitoring are required. In 2018 GR commissioned biodiversity studies in Tanzania and Uganda. The studies aimed to assess the current levels of biodiversity, identification of occurrences of rare and endangered species and important conservation areas as input to its conservation and environmental management plans.
Interestingly, the studies found unexpectedly high levels of important biodiversity within the plantations. It was also found that the main competitor for the biodiversity is activities by third parties such as local communities changing the landscape and introducing invasive species. During the studies the specialists helped to train GR staff to conduct biodiversity monitoring and management.
GR is currently developing its new conservation management plans based on the findings in the studies. The company will ensure that these plans work to address the issues found associated with the operations, as well as enhance the activities which are improving biodiversity, and focus on protecting important conservation areas, and improve community outreach to help educate communities on the importance of conservation and seek to reduce activities that are damaging to the natural environment. GR will conduct similar environmental studies and training in its Mozambique Niassa operations in 2019. The training received by staff will ensure that GR is better able to monitor and manage the natural environment associated with its operations and help the organisation work towards its goal of a net-positive impact on the natural environment.