Lindi. Mangroves have been recognised as a vital solution in the fight against climate change, helping to absorb carbon dioxide, protect shorelines from erosion, and support rich marine biodiversity crucial for livelihoods in coastal communities.
In response to increasing mangrove degradation in Mbanja Ward, Lindi Municipality, a local NGO — Human Dignity and Environment Care (HUDEFO) — has launched a mangrove restoration project aimed at restoring degraded coastal areas while strengthening climate resilience.
Speaking during the official launch of the project, Simon Kimaro, the Project Lead for “Community Wellbeing and Mangrove Conservation” under HUDEFO, said the initiative focuses not only on planting mangroves but also on empowering local communities with knowledge on environmental conservation.
“This is a one-year project whose main objective is to ensure that the Mbanja community understands the value of mangroves in tackling climate change and takes full ownership of protecting them for future generations,” said Kimaro.
He explained that in addition to tree planting, the project incorporates beekeeping as an alternative source of income to motivate the community to protect mangroves, as beehives discourage cutting and encroachment.
Tunu Karanja, a HUDEFO officer, noted that Mbanja is one of the coastal areas often overlooked in conservation efforts despite facing serious environmental challenges.
“Today we are planting 1,310 mangrove seedlings to mark the launch, but our target is to plant between 100,000 and 200,000 seedlings by the end of this project. We urge full cooperation from the community,” Karanja said.
Shamira Juma, Chairperson of the Mbanja Village Natural Resource Committee, applauded HUDEFO for introducing the project and emphasised the need for continuous education on sustainable mangrove management.
“Mangroves are our lifeline. They protect our shores, serve as fish breeding grounds, and help mitigate climate change. We ask HUDEFO to continue supporting us with knowledge so that we can preserve this resource for future generations,” Juma added.
Environmental Ambassador for Lindi Municipality, Leila Kikwei, said mangroves play an essential role in preserving marine ecosystems, capturing carbon, and supporting climate adaptation.
“Protecting mangroves is not a favour — it’s an investment in our own survival and for the generations to come. Mangroves are crucial for absorbing carbon dioxide, stabilising coastlines, and sustaining marine life,” Kikwei said.
The Community Wellbeing and Mangrove Conservation project engages residents from the village to the ward level, working with environmental and natural resource committees to restore mangrove forests and improve community understanding of climate action.