Policy Review and Regulatory Challenges and Strategies for the Sustainable Mangrove Management in Zanzibar

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the challenges of the policies and regulatory framework and strategies for the sustainable mangrove management in Zanzibar, from 1890 to present. The study collected both primary and secondary data. The secondary data were collected through the a review of previous policies, legal documents, by laws, ministry/department reports, research reports, newspapers and articles. The primary data were mainly collected through focus group discussions (FGDs) and semi-structured interviews. The study found that, before Zanzibar became a British protectorate in 1890, the forests were communally managed with the guidance of forest guardians, chiefs and elders. The colonial government enacted a number of land administration laws, policies, and arrangements aimed at conserving the natural resources, including the mangrove forests. From 1930 to the end of the Second World War (WWII), mangrove forests were severely degraded because the colonial government paid little attention to their conservation and management. The policy arrangements put in place after independence, such as the National Forest Conservation and Management Act of 1996, laid the legal groundwork for the introduction of the participation of the local communities in the conservation of mangroves. However, they were not sufficient enough to promote the sustainable use of mangrove forests. This study proposes that there is a need for more inclusive and diverse regulations. Furthermore, for the effective conservation and management of mangroves, conflicting laws and responsibilities between government departments should be harmonized.

Barriers to Community Participation in Governance Standards Setting for Sustainable Mangrove Management in Lamu County

“…And there is insufficient enforcement on the policy execution, as well as lack of clarity on the operational rules. According to (Mohamed et al, 2023), poor forest policy and legal frameworks for the enforcement and governance of the forests may make it impossible to solve the challenges associated with the protection and management of mangrove forests. Overregulation is seen to be a major cause of environmental degradation since it leads to incompatible policies.…”

“…It furthers details that challenges such as lack of engaging community can results to poor conservations efforts hence hinders the management of mangrove forests in Kenya. Moreover, the study relates to (Mohamed et al, 2023) findings stating that, for sustainable mangrove governance to be effective, policies implementation must be exercised, coupled with good decision making processes and effective community participation. Figure 3 examines the correlation between the governance standards and the perspective respondents had on the challenges in the implementation of governance standards setting for mangrove management through community participation.…”

The Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Mangrove Forest Cover from 1973 to 2020 in Chwaka Bay and Menai Bay, Zanzibar

“…This study aimed to detect and analyze the patterns and dynamics of mangroves in Zanzibar over a 47-year period, i.e., from 1973 to 2020, using a Landsat Earth observation dataset. Since the eighteenth century, mangroves and their products have been extensively exploited [55]. Mangrove wood was a valuable resource that the Sultan of Zanzibar harvested, utilized for construction, and transported to the Middle East, Europe, and America [55,56].…”

Assessing the Perception and Contribution of Mangrove Ecosystem Services to the Well-Being of Coastal Communities of Chwaka and Menai Bays, Zanzibar

“…Due to rapid population growth and changes in land use, the mangroves in the Chwaka and Menai Bays have experienced a significant rate of deterioration in coverage and quality [44]. The respondents from the five wards agreed on the extensive illegal harvesting of mangroves, reducing mangrove ecosystem services.…”

“…Several studies, e.g., Quinn et al [37], Kukkonen and Käyhkö [38], Käyhkö et al [39], Nicholson [40], Othman [41], Lugomela [42], Mchenga and Ali [43], Mohamed et al [44], and Mohamed et al [45], have been conducted in Zanzibar to study mangrove ecosystems. However, these studies have documented very limited or no information regarding analyzing the contribution of mangrove ecosystem services in Zanzibar.…”