LocationsProtecting the Spice Islands: A New Chapter for Zanzibar’s Forests and Coasts
June 29, 2026
Where nature thrives, communities prosper. The Zanzibar red colobus, found only in Zanzibar, symbolizes the unique biodiversity the Safeguarding Zanzibar's Forest and Coastal Habitats for Multiple Benefits Project is working to protect for future generations.
Zanzibar’s pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs and lush mangrove forests are more than just a global tourist draw – they are the lifeblood of the islands’ communities. To protect this important heritage, a diverse team of government institutions, development partners, community representatives, civil society organizations, academia and private sector stakeholders convened in Zanzibar to launch an initiative: the Safeguarding Zanzibar's Forest and Coastal Habitats for Multiple Benefits Project.
The two-day engagement marked a significant milestone in how Zanzibar manages its natural resources. The shared goal is clear: protect the critical ecosystems that support local fisheries, tourism and daily livelihoods across Unguja and Pemba, while building long term resilience against climate change.
"The future prosperity of Zanzibar is closely linked to the health of our natural ecosystems,” noted Hon. Saleh Mohamed Jenna, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock (MAINL) and Chair of the Programme Steering Committee. “, Their sustainable management is therefore not only an environmental priority, but a development imperative."
Healthy coastal ecosystems sustain livelihoods across Zanzibar. Protecting marine and coastal habitats helps safeguard fisheries, strengthen local economies and build resilience for communities that depend on the sea.
Where Conservation Meets Development
Historically, environmental protection and economic growth have sometimes been viewed as competing interests. This initiative aims to prove they can thrive together.
UNDP Resident Representative, Shigeki Komatsubara, emphasized the human element at the core of the project.
"Zanzibar's coastal landscapes sustain livelihoods, support tourism and fisheries, strengthen climate resilience and conserve biodiversity. Through this project, we have an opportunity to demonstrate that conservation and development can advance together, delivering lasting benefits for people, nature and future generations,” he said.
Where forests meet the sea. Zanzibar's interconnected forests, coastlines and marine ecosystems sustain biodiversity, support livelihoods and form the foundation of a resilient blue and green economy.
Rather than a top-down mandate, the initiative relies on a deeply collaborative approach. It brings together people most impacted by these environments, including local communities, women, youth and vulnerable groups alongside government ministries, NGOs and the private sector.
Moving from Planning to Action
With the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock taking lead, the project is now moving from the planning phase into active implementation.
Key priorities on the ground will include management of protected areas, empowering community-based forest management systems and creating new, sustainable ways for locals to earn a living without depleting the natural resources they rely on.
As the inaugural meetings concluded and the annual work plans were approved, the message from the steering committee was unanimous: Safeguarding Zanzibar’s natural beauty isn’t just about saving trees and coral; it is about securing a prosperous, resilient future for all.
Participants in the First Project Steering Committee Meeting of the Safeguarding Zanzibar's Forest and Coastal Habitats for Multiple Benefits Project in Zanzibar
Related
content
content
