The Importance of Mangrove Planting and Beach Clean-Up Activities
The Coast Development Authority (CDA) has partnered with a Community-Based Organization called Akili Kadhaa to plant mangrove propagules along the coastline in the Kisauni Constituency. Due to above-average rainfall in Mombasa, many areas have experienced flooding, causing storm water to end up in the sea and polluting it. To tackle this issue, the CDA and the CBO have incorporated beach clean-up activities to improve the marine ecosystem. CDA Chairman Mzee Mwinyi led the planting of over 1000 mangrove propagules in Junda Ward, where the youth were also educated about job opportunities in the blue economy sector. The chairman emphasized the importance of a clean beach environment and the planting of mangroves for the livelihood of the community and urged other corporations to join in the tree-growing initiative. He highlighted fishing and seafaring as potential career paths for the coastal youths and praised Akili Kadhaa for their work in connecting the community with government agencies. The Beach Management Units (BMUs) also plan to raise awareness among fisher folk about the significance of mangroves as fish nursery areas, and an Akili Kadhaa member pledged to involve youth in beach clean-ups as a means of preventing drug and substance abuse and discouraging their involvement in juvenile gangs.
Highlighting the significance of mangroves for fishery, Mwinyi called for corporate participation in the tree-growing initiative aligned with the Presidential directive to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. He identified fishing and seafaring as lucrative career paths for coastal youths, emphasizing the need for awareness and seizing opportunities in these sectors.
Commending Akili Kadhaa for bridging the gap between the community and government agencies, Mwinyi praised their tree-growing initiative. Ali Mwaito, Chairman of Mshomoroni Beach Management Unit, pledged to enhance awareness among fisher folk regarding the planting and protection of mangroves, crucial for fish nursery areas.
Riziki Kibwana, a member of Akili Kadhaa CBO, vowed to engage youth in beach clean-ups as a preventive measure against substance abuse and involvement in juvenile gangs. The collective efforts aim to promote environmental sustainability and create employment opportunities for coastal communities.
The CDA and Akili Kadhaa are planting mangrove propagules in Kisauni to combat polluting storm water caused by flooding. The CDA Chairman emphasized the importance of a clean beach environment and job opportunities in the blue economy sector. BMUs will raise awareness about mangroves as fish nurseries and discourage youth involvement in drugs and gangs.
