TUI Forest Zanzibar

The Masingini Forest National Park in Zanzibar is only 8 km from the World Heritage Site of Stone Town and boasts an abundance of breathtakingly beautiful flora and fauna. Located at the highest point of Zanzibar, the forest is home to Red Colobus monkeys and many bird and tree species. With its large, groundwater storage, it’s also an essential part of the water supply for Stone Town.

However, the forest is under threat. The population of Zanzibar is increasing fast and urban desertification and deforestation are happening at an alarming speed. Areas once covered by forest have now become residential. TUI Forest Zanzibar has created a buffer zone between the Masingini Forest National Park and the surrounding growing residential areas to restore and reforest the land and provide environmental education in an outdoor classroom for students and the community. In the second phase of the project these efforts continue, with a focus on sustainable income-generating activities like eco- and community-based tourism.

The first phase of TUI Forest Zanzibar laid the foundation for ecological restoration and community engagement. It successfully planted 63,400 trees, built and maintained a tree nursery, and educated local people on managing and running the nursery. It also established an outdoor classroom in the forest to teach school children about environmental protection and the importance of forests.

Building on this success, the second phase of the project involves planting over 67,000 native trees across an area of 17,000 m2. This includes maintaining the tree nursery and employing 10 local people for tree planting and nursery management. The nursery cultivates native tree species, endangered species and medicinal plants to support ecological restoration and enhance biodiversity. A movable irrigation system will be installed to ensure consistent watering of seedlings, especially during the dry season.

Tree planting is carried out in cooperation with the Forestry department primarily in Masingini Forest. As part of the Forest Awareness Programme, 7200 trees will be planted at schools, at students’ homes and by students in the forest. In total, the project educates and engages 200 secondary school children in nature conservation.

In addition, the local community and the Forest Protection Unit, a group of 26 young people, will be trained and help patrol the forest boundaries covering 55,500 m2. They will monitor tree growth and help prevent poaching, habitat disturbance, and illegal activities. Community members earn eco-credits for their patrol efforts, which can be redeemed for educational courses at Kawa Training Center.

The initiative engages 13 local communities in creating sustainable crafts and souvenirs made from natural materials. Through workshops, participants gain skills in making, selling and promoting nature-based sustainable products.

TUI Forest Zanzibar also develops nature-based activities including walking trails and cycling routes in the forest and surrounding area. Community tours will involve local villages to promote and celebrate local culture.

Zanzibar has so much to offer. These nature-based experiences and cultural tours help to protect its natural heritage and generate more income for the island. They also create additional job opportunities for Zanzibaris, reducing pressure on the forest and fostering a community committed to its protection.

TUI Forest Zanzibar

PROJECT PARTNER

Kawa Foundation strives to improve the economic status, reduce poverty and unemployment of Zanzibar Youth, empowering women and improving livelihood in rural communities through capacity building in skills, knowledge and leadership to fill the (skills) gap in the tourism and hospitality industry. All activities of Kawa Foundation focus around ensuring a sustainable future of the heritage and the tourism and hospitality industry by taking action to protect, enhance and make use of the natural, cultural and historical heritage of Zanzibar by creating sustainable income generating activities.

Kawa Foundation encourages partnerships, entrepreneurship, create economic links between the communities and the industry to improve economic resilience and to advocate the implementation of sustainable practices concerning fair working conditions.

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