When they were silenced using their Chainsaws, We Spoke Up for the Mangroves
“Mangrove trees cutters pitched camp, lived and executed their devastating mangrove clearance mission in Gazi and Makongeni villages. We would have watched in disbelief and shock as they mercilessly cleared the roots of the ocean, but we chose not to, instead we stood with the mangroves, we came together and became their voice. That’s how mikoko pamoja initiative was born. Today, not a single mangrove tree is being cut. This is a living example of the transformative power of knowledge imparted on community members. They were empowered and motivated. This enabled them to become the first line of defense of their resources — the mangrove forests.’’ Uthman Saddique, Environmental Champion in Gazi Bay, Kwale County.
Uthman Saddique is an environmental champion, a staunch community health volunteer and an avid reader who calls Gazi Bay in Kwale County home. He is determined to fill that gap, by creating awareness to secure a healthy and prosperous future, for communities in two villages in Kwale — Gazi and Makongeni . They are close to his heart. It is where he grew up. He has benefited from conservation capacity building initiatives organised by different environmental organizations like WWF-Kenya. He sits on the board of Mikoko Pamoja- a model carbon-offset project. He never misses an opportunity to have a conversation on conservation with his peers, women groups and during community engagements.
How does he sustain these activities? One may ask. Thanks to the cash payment he receives through the Mikoko Pamoja project. Like many residents of Gazi and Makongeni he is a direct beneficiary of forest restoration and protection services.
What next for Saddique? “ I am promoting forest farming and establishment of tree nurseries to empower and enable community members sell tree seedlings and earn some money.” he says
One of the key drivers of coastal forests degradation is the lack of information on forests ecosystem services benefits. Mangroves, for example, are important nesting grounds for fish- a key source of food. They also act as guards against typhoons. Terrestrial forests on the other hand are important sources and retainers of freshwater for communities while at the same time critical carbon sinks that mitigate against climate change.
While WWF-Kenya’s Public-Private-People Partnerships to Save Coastal Kenya Forests Project,supported by the International Climate Initiative (IKI), is big on forests restoration, it is equally big on taking the local custodians of these community forests onto a journey of appreciating the value of conservation. Tapping into their own indigenous knowledge while leveraging on youth power.
