Planting Hope: Visitation of our Ten Million Mangroves program during celebration of the World Mangrove Day (26th July 2024) at Kwale Island Tanzania
On World Mangrove Day, 26th July 2024, the Blue Carbon Tanzania team, in collaboration with youth-led organizations Sustainable World Initiatives and African Gold Initiatives conducted the restoration tour for our program aiming to plant 10 Million Mangroves by 2030 on the beautiful Kwale Island within Mafia channel at Pwani Tanzania. This special event was designed to showcase our Ten Million Mangroves program to participants, promote eco-tourism, education and awareness on mangrove restoration, conservation, and engage the local community in nature based activities.
The Blue Carbon Tanzania team and the visitors during the World Mangrove Day at Kwale Island (Mafia), 26th July 2024
Our journey to Kwale Island began early in the morning at 05:00 AM from Dar es Salaam. We boarded a bus that took us to the mainland coast of Kisiju where we embarked on a boat ride to the island. The tides were favorable, and the ocean was calm, making for a smooth and pleasant trip. Despite some initial worries about the sea journey, we conducted a safety briefing session before boarding the boat, which reassured everyone. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the village leaders, who expressed their gratitude for our visit and emphasized the importance of our conservation efforts. The overall experience was positive, with participants feeling excited and engaged throughout the trip.
Participants brimming with excitement after donning life jackets, ready for the adventure ahead to Kwale Island
Our day began with an enlightening education session on the importance of mangroves for communities and nature. We explored the critical roles these coastal forests play, including protecting shorelines, providing nursery areas and habitats for fish and other marine life. In addition well preserved coastal forests contribute to persistent community livelihood and carbon sequestration, by possessing up to ten times the ability to absorb carbon emissions compared to the tropical rainforest.
Following the educational session, we conducted an interactive workshop on planting and nurturing mangroves where about 400 mangrove seedlings were planted on a one hectare following the best practice. This hands-on activity brought together the local community and our team in a shared effort to restore and conserve these vital ecosystems. The enthusiastic participation demonstrated a deep understanding and commitment from the community toward the significance of mangroves in their daily lives. The event also featured discussions on the carbon credits market, providing insights into how mangrove conservation can contribute to climate action and sustainable development. This session was particularly eye-opening for the youth, inspiring them to take a more active role in mangrove restoration projects.
Beyond the educational and conservation activities, we had the opportunity to appreciate the stunning natural beauty and rich historical background of Kwale Island, especially the writings by the famous poet Shaaban Robert on the Baobab tree. The experience was both educational and enjoyable, leaving a lasting impact on all participants.
Standing tall on Kwale Island, this majestic Baobab tree is a silent witness to centuries of administrative stories and cultural heritage, with the writings of the famous poet Shaaban Robert
The day was a remarkable success, showcasing the power of community engagement and the critical role of youth in environmental conservation. We are grateful for this collaboration and look forward to continuing our efforts to protect and restore Tanzania’s mangrove forests, to reach Ten Million Mangroves on 10,000 hectares by 2030. The mangroves will offset over 100 million tons of carbon emissions by 2040 contributing to the global carbon removal targets and national determined contributions (NDC).
“Mr. Athumani Ramadhani is a project coordinator at Sustainable World Initiatives he said Participating in the coordination of World Mangrove Day at Kwale Island with Blue Carbon Tanzania(BCT) has been a truly enriching experience. As a project coordinator for Sustainable World Initiatives, I have had the privilege of working alongside BCT’s dedicated team, and their commitment to mangrove conservation has been nothing short of inspiring.
The event was a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision. BCT’s meticulous planning and execution of Mangrove Day were exemplary. From organizing engaging community activities to delivering impactful educational sessions, their efforts played a crucial role in raising awareness about the importance of mangrove ecosystems.
The synergy between our organizations created a dynamic environment that fostered both learning and action. The feedback from the local communities has been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the success of our joint efforts in promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
I am grateful for the opportunity to work with BCT and look forward to future collaborations. Their dedication to protecting our natural resources and empowering communities is commendable, and I am confident that our continued partnership will yield even greater results in the future”