By Khelef Nassor
Community Forests Pemba (CFP) has continued its efforts to raise
awareness and build community capacity in mangrove conservation by guiding
residents of Kiwani Village in Kambini Shehia, Wete District, through a
peer-to-peer learning session on mangrove restoration.
The session brought together community members, both young and old, to
explore practical solutions to the challenges facing mangrove ecosystems.
Participants shared knowledge, exchanged experiences, and learned directly from
one another under the facilitation of CFP staff.
Central to the peer-to-peer discussions were lessons on the different
species of mangroves found along the Pemba coastline. Participants were
introduced to how each species contributes uniquely to biodiversity, coastal
protection, and community livelihoods.
The session also highlighted the ecological and economic importance of
mangroves. Residents learned how mangroves act as nurseries for fish, serve as
buffers against coastal erosion, and play a vital role in mitigating the
impacts of climate change.
At the same time, participants reflected on the severe consequences of
cutting down mangroves. From the destruction of marine habitats to the
increased vulnerability of coastlines, the community recognized how the
degradation of mangroves threatens their own well-being.
The training emphasized practical ways to protect and restore mangroves.
Residents were introduced to sustainable harvesting methods, replanting
strategies, and community-driven approaches to safeguarding this vital
ecosystem.
During open discussions, community members voiced their perspectives on
the drivers behind mangrove deforestation. Many pointed to the harsh realities
of life, explaining that difficult economic conditions often force people to
cut mangroves for fuelwood and construction materials.
One of the participants, Omar Hamad Ali,
emphasized the importance of such learning visits. “These
peer-to-peer exchanges are very helpful because they create awareness among us
as community members to conserve the environment and protect mangrove trees,”
he said.
His views were echoed by Sada Haji
Kombo, who stressed the need for women’s involvement in
conservation. “It
is very important for women to be included and given priority in mangrove and
environmental conservation activities, because women are directly connected to
the resources that sustain families,” she noted.
Another participant, Siti Mbarouk
Ali, reflected on the specific impacts of climate change
on women. “When
mangroves disappear, the sea levels rise and affect our farms. For women, this
is a big challenge because it prevents us from planting even simple vegetables
for our household use,” she explained.
The peer-to-peer learning therefore became more than a training, it was a
platform for dialogue. Participants debated solutions such as introducing
income-generating activities, promoting energy alternatives, and strengthening
community bylaws to manage mangrove use.
Asha Yusuf Nour, CFP’s Mangrove Officer who coordinated the activity,
commended the openness of participants in sharing their challenges. She noted
that genuine dialogue between community members is essential in finding
long-term, community-owned solutions to mangrove conservation.
According to Asha, the peer-to-peer model is effective because it
empowers participants to learn from one another. “When people
exchange their own experiences, it creates stronger ownership of the knowledge
and inspires collective responsibility,” she explained.
She further emphasized that the purpose of the peer-to-peer session was
not only to raise awareness on the need to protect and conserve mangrove trees,
but also to give communities the opportunity to directly witness the realities
of climate change impacts in their own environment.
The peer-to-peer activity took
place along the coastal area of Kiwani Village, within Kambini Shehia,
as part of the implementation of the ZanzADAPT project,
funded by Global Affairs Canada and
implemented by Community Forests Pemba in
partnership with Community Forests International.
The project works to empower women’s leadership in climate adaptation,
strengthen community resilience, and promote sustainable environmental
stewardship across Zanzibar.
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