Environmentalists Out to Protect Mtwapa Marine Ecosystem

By Harrison Kivisu

Email. thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Environmental actors in Mtwapa, Kilifi County, have intensified efforts to protect the marine ecosystem by planting thousands of mangrove trees along the endangered Mtwapa Creek.

The stakeholders say the Mtwapa Creek marine ecosystem is under serious threat due to rampant mangrove cutting for firewood and charcoal production.

They are now calling for action against those responsible for the destruction.

Speaking during a tree-planting exercise that saw over 1,000 mangrove seedlings planted along the creek, Active environmental Team chairman Japeth Kithi urged the local community to protect the area from further degradation.

“We are targeting 10,000 mangroves in partnership with Mombasa Cement Company, which has been championing zero-rate carbon emissions,” he said.

Kithi also appealed to well-wishers to support the community by introducing alternative economic ventures to help reduce reliance on charcoal burning.

“When you look at this area, many trees have been cut. This is because many locals here are not informed of the importance of mangrove forests along the creek,” he added emphasizing the danger posed to the ecosystem by increased charcoal-burning activities.

On her part, Velma Kagonya, director of the One Tree One Child organization based in Kilifi, said the planting of mangroves would boost fish populations and aid in carbon absorption, which was crucial in the fight against climate change.

“When we plant the trees, we ensure that fish breeding thrives because they will have breeding areas. The trees will also regulate the carbon emissions by absorbing it to ensure a safe ecosystem,” she said.

Commission for human right and justice (CHRJ )Director Julius Ogogoh empasised ,that the legislature should come up tough laws to protect Enviromental Ecosystem According to her increased mangrove coverage will lead to better fish harvests, benefiting local fishermen.

The day-long exercise was supervised by Kenya Forestry Service representative Dennis Warega, who reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing a ban on the use of mangrove trees for charcoal.

“We have heightened enforcement against mangrove destruction in Kilifi. We can’t allow people to damage the mangrove trees. The only challenge we have is that locals here believe they can’t exist without cutting trees to build houses,” he said.

Commission for human right and justice (CHRJ )Director Julius Ogogoh empasised ,that the legislature should come up tough laws to protect Enviromental Ecosystem

Antony Nyale, a dedicated conservationist and secretary of the MTAKIMAU CFA (Mtapwa-Takaungu-Kilifi Community Forest Association), called on residents to stop cutting down mangroves, stressing their critical role in the marine ecosystem.

“Mtwapa Creek, Takaungu Creek, and Kilifi Creeks are areas that we conserve, and we have met a lot of challenges as the locals cut down the mangroves to earn a living, with total disregard of the climate threats it poses,” he said.

He noted that the group was registered under the Kenya Forest Management framework and was working to conserve forest areas along the coast.