In a powerful display of community-driven conservation, PIRO continues its mission to preserve Pemba’s fragile coastal environment. With generous support from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), PIRO is implementing a grassroots restoration initiative across five key shehias: Ndagoni, Tundauwa, Kangani, Kuukuu, and Shungi.
At the heart of this initiative is the restoration of 10 hectares of degraded mangrove ecosystems, with each shehia taking ownership of 2 hectares. This project not only enhances biodiversity and strengthens climate resilience but also reaffirms the role of local communities as stewards of their natural environment.
Through a participatory approach, PIRO has worked hand in hand with local leaders, elders, women, and youth groups to raise environmental awareness, conduct training on ecological restoration, and mobilize collective action. Community members have been involved in seedling collection, nursery establishment, and planting activities, ensuring that the work is rooted in local ownership and sustainability.
“Restoring these mangroves is not just about trees,” said Ali Abdi Mangroves officer. “It’s about securing livelihoods, protecting coastal infrastructure, and reviving the rich biodiversity that our communities depend on.”
By combining traditional knowledge with scientific restoration techniques, PIRO is not only rehabilitating degraded ecosystems but also nurturing a culture of environmental responsibility that will benefit future generations.
This initiative reflects PIRO’s broader vision of community empowerment and ecological integrity—and with CEPF’s support, the organization is setting a powerful example of what grassroots conservation can achieve in Zanzibar and beyond.
