A thousand hopes as Mwache, one of Kenya’s largest mangrove forests, recovers
If there is one area where mangrove conservation has had a significant impact in coastal Kenya, it is in Mwache in Kwale County.
In Mwache, there is a forest reserve that is approximately 4,000 hectares. The reserve is one of the largest mangrove forests in Kenya. It is home to baboons and numerous bird species.
Mwache Forest Reserve was under threat from human activities, including logging, charcoal production and farming. These activities not only destroyed the mangrove forest but also exposed the area to extensive soil erosion, water pollution and led to a decline in fish populations.
The adjacent Bonje mangroves were also severely affected by the heavy El Nino rains in 1997, 2007 and 2017. In the resulting floods, the Mwache River overflowed, destroying thousands of mangroves.
The situation worsened due to the excessive cutting down of trees for construction and fuelwood. This spread desertification, causing great suffering for the local residents.
But hope was on the way when a coalition of stakeholders joined forces to restore the degraded Mangrove forest. WWF-Kenya, the Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Marine and Research Institute and community conservancies in Bonje and Mwache took action, bringing on board the local community and fishers to cultivate mangrove seedlings.
Saidi Juma, the chairperson of the Bonje Beach Management Unit and the Community Forest Association, said they were moved to action by the dwindling fish populations, deteriorating environmental conditions and disruptions to their livelihoods. The Beach Management Unit and Community Forest Association have a combined membership of 1,200 members.
To date, they have restored about 83 hectares of mangroves, and still have 315,000 mangrove seedlings awaiting planting in designated areas.
Through these conservation efforts, the benefits of the mangrove restoration in Mwache Forest Reserve are becoming evident.
Mangrove forests are important because they provide safe and secure habitat for a variety of marine species. The mangrove roots act as nurseries and breeding grounds for many fish and shellfish species, which are critical for the livelihoods of the local communities who rely on fishing for their income and food security.
Further, the conservation efforts have contributed to the protection of the shoreline from erosion and storms, reducing the damage caused by high tides and storms. The mangroves act as a natural barrier, reducing the impact of waves and currents.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the conservation of the Mwache mangrove forest has also had a positive impact on the local economy. The restoration of the mangroves has provided employment opportunities for the local community through the establishment of eco-tourism activities such as boat rides and nature walks. The income generated from these activities has helped to reduce poverty levels, increase household incomes and improve the quality of life for the local residents.
Dr Mohammed Pakia, WWF-Kenya’s Terrestrial Coordinator, said the communities in Kwale County have received support through the International Climate Initiative to restore over 30,000 acres of forests.
“The usual approach involves training community rangers who work alongside the Kenya Forest Service to protect the forests and educate residents on sustainable farming practices, thereby building their capacity. Forest-adjacent communities are provided with business and farming skills to avoid over-reliance on natural resources. Some communities received training in butterfly farming and beekeeping, among other ventures,” said Dr Pakia.
