Since 2019, Guinée Ecologie (BirdLife Companion in Guinea) has been concerned within the restoration of mangroves within the nation. From 2019 to 2022, greater than 1,400 hectares of mangroves have been restored within the Tristao Islands.
Yamoussa Cissé, grew up in Kogon Village, Yattiya sector, positioned in Tristao Islands, Northern Guinea – one of many islands which type the border of Guinea Republic and Guinea Bissau. The islands are characterised by expansive sandbanks, estuaries, mud, and mangrove forests which host quite a few species together with sea turtles and crocodiles. Guinea’s coastal space prolong 320 km2 dotted by inlets, estuaries, and quite a few offshore islands. The nation’s mangrove space extends as much as 40km inland.
Mangroves play a significant function in coastal ecology, securing and sustaining coastal communities. They shield coastlines from excessive storms, erosion, and wave motion. In addition they act as carbon sink sequestering 3-5% extra carbon unit per space – greater than another forest system. As well as, mangroves assist native communities to have an abundance of fish sources, by means of facilitating fish replica all through the shoreline notably shrimps and oysters. Regardless of this significance, mangroves ecosystem within the nation is now underneath menace.
Egyptian Plover, copyright Nik Borrow, from the surfbirds galleries
The inhabitants of Tristao Islands fluctuates between 15,000 and 20,000, relying on the variety of fishing camps arrange, is sustained by exploitation of pure sources and mangroves.
From 2010 to 2015, we’ve got seen the mangrove space scale back drastically by 7000 hectares notes Aboubacar Soumah, Guinée Ecologie’s mangrove restoration Venture Coordinator in Tristao and Kapathez areas.
Since 2019, Guinée Ecologie (BirdLife Companion in Guinea) has been concerned within the restoration of mangroves within the nation. Between 2019 and 2022, Guinee Ecologie carried out a restoration venture within the Tristao Islands. The venture supported by the Basis Audemar Watkins, led to the restoration of over 1,400 hectares of mangroves within the Tristao Islands.
“The Tristao islands are important habitats for wildlife and fishery sources. Tristao has been a Ramsar website since 1992 and has had marine protected space (MPA) standing since 2013, with the intention of making certain the safety and participatory conservation of biodiversity and socio-cultural heritage to enhance the residing situations of communities. It’s a breeding floor for a number of species of fish and marine turtles, and over 200 species of birds have been recognized, therefore the necessity to restore this essential ecosystem, argues Mamadou Diawara, Guinée Ecologie Govt Director.
Constructing on the success of the PAPBIO venture launched a second mangrove restoration venture within the Konkouré delta within the Dubréka prefecture in January 2023. Funded by the identical donor, Audemars Watkins Basis, this 3-year venture is being applied in collaboration with the Ministry of the Surroundings and Sustainable Growth, by means of the Guinean Workplace of Nationwide Parks and Wildlife Reserves (OGPNRF), and native communities within the venture space.
The intention is to extend the mangrove space to 500 ha, together with 100 ha of mangrove to be reforested, 100 ha by means of Assisted Pure Regeneration (ANR), 50 ha by means of the restoration of rice paddies and 250 ha by means of actions geared toward decreasing strain on mangrove wooden, notably the promotion of photo voltaic salt manufacturing, the development of ovens and improved stoves, and fencing by means of surveillance. But in addition selling good sustainable manufacturing practices.
Earlier than beginning on the venture, Guinée Ecologie carried out consciousness elevating workout routines within the native communities, which Cisse took half in.
“We’re pleased that this venture is in place, and I’ll be there with all my coronary heart to assist the venture in order that we will obtain our aims. As quickly as reforestation actions are launched, we’re going to deploy ourselves to reforest as many hectares of mangrove as doable. In any case we’re pleased that Guinée Ecologie engaged us on this venture. We’re wanting ahead to the reforestation actions in order that we will make our contribution”, mentioned Cissé.
Early Good points
To this finish, info and website identification actions for reforestation, ANR, and the restoration of deserted rice fields within the Konkouré delta prefecture have been carried out with native communities. Additional, a socio-economic survey of the pilot websites for the Konkouré delta restoration venture was carried out by the Regional Partnership for Coastal and Marine Conservation (PRCM), a working group arrange and native agreements signed.
For Ousmane Bangoura, head of the Dofili/Kopèrin Sector on the mainland aspect, is doing a outstanding job within the Konkouré Delta. “We see this restoration venture as a serious step ahead in defending the surroundings typically, and our mangrove ecosystem. For that reason, we will solely admire this initiative. We’re going to assist all of the gamers concerned on this venture,” he enthuses.
As a part of venture implementation actions, Guinee Ecologie started restoration campaigns in August 2023. In the identical vein, the venture will assist communities in market backyard manufacturing, oyster farming, photo voltaic salt manufacturing, the distribution of fifty chorkor ovens for fish people who smoke, and 100 improved fireplaces to be made and distributed to households. Consciousness-raising, info and communication actions might be carried out in favor of mangrove conservation.
“Our long-term dedication stays the sustainable conservation of mangrove ecosystems within the Tristao Islands of Guinea. And to attain this, we try to make sure the implementation of concrete measures for the sustainable administration of mangroves and the discount of anthropic strain by selling different methods, supporting income-generating actions and pure useful resource administration” concludes Diawara.
“We see this restoration venture as a serious step ahead in defending the surroundings typically, and our mangrove ecosystem. For that reason, we will solely admire this initiative. We’re going to assist all of the gamers concerned on this venture.” Ousmane Bangoura, Head of the Dofili/Kopèrin Sector within the Tristao Islands
