Kenya Reforestation Project
Context
The planting site, known as “Milihoi/Kichwa Cha Nyoka,” is situated on the coast of Kenya, directly inland from the southern end of Lamu Island. The Swahili name for the site, “Kichwa Cha Nyoka,” literally translates to “head of the snake.” The project aims to restore more than 2,000 hectares of partially degraded mangrove forests while protecting healthy mangroves.
The Old Town of Lamu was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 for its outstanding conservation of Swahili culture in East Africa. Lamu Old Town has become a renowned tourist attraction due to its well-preserved traditional Swahili architecture. The region is also famous for its social, cultural, and religious practices that have been sustained and passed down through generations.
Project
The Milihoi/Kichwa Cha Nyoka mangrove ecosystem supports a diverse bird and marine life range. The Lamu district is known for its extensive avian biodiversity, with many bird species using the mangroves as feeding and roosting sites during the northern winter season. Crab-plovers (Dromas ardeola) migrate to the mangroves during winter, while Mangrove Kingfishers (Halcyon senegaloides) use the mangroves as its permanent nesting area. The site is also occasionally visited by the near-threatened and endemic Fischer’s Turaco (Tauraco fischeri). The mangrove channels are an essential feeding and breeding area for various fish species.
Mangroves are crucial for providing ecosystem services to coastal communities. Their extensive roots help retain sediments, dissipate storm surges and waves, and defend against flooding and erosion. Historically, mangroves have played a significant role in the local economy. They were harvested for dhow construction, exported for the tanning industry, and used as building materials. Although mangrove harvesting was banned in 1997, many continued to exploit them; in 2019, legal harvesting was reintroduced. The high demand for mangroves has led to deforestation and the loss of livelihood for the region’s inhabitants. Despite the cultural wealth of this area, unemployment is high, and there needs to be more adequate schools, health facilities, infrastructure, and access to clean water.
Eden Reforestation Projects (Eden) facilitates the restoration of mangrove ecosystems in the area by actively planting native mangrove species. Eden works directly with local communities to restore their natural environment.
Verification
This project is verified by Eden Reforestation Projects.
Photos
UN Sustainable Development Goals
This project aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development.
Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.
Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity.
Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere.
Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development.
Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in.
Sustainable economic growth will require societies to create the conditions that allow people to have quality jobs.
Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
Find out more about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals here.
