GREEN: Generating Resilience through Ecological Enhancement in Ngezi forest, Tanzania

GREEN: Generating Resilience through Ecological Enhancement in Ngezi forest (Pemba Island, Tanzania)

Partner: Istituto Oikos
Years: 2025-2028

Ngezi-Vumawimbi Forest is the last indigenous forest on Pemba Island, hosting globally important biodiversity and the only African population of Intsia bijuga. It is at great risk of destruction due to severe underfunding, illegal activities and human encroachment. This project aims to reduce tree loss through in situ conservation, improved forest management and governance, and education.

Erica mafiensis (VU)

The monitoring of the target species is increasing critical knowledge on distribution and abundance of unique populations and improving the ability to curb illegal harvesting. Patrol capacity is increasing with the recruitment of a new guard, and an education program is reaching 10,000 nature-dependent people living on the forest boundaries, thereby fostering better understanding of the role of the forest in the ecosystem.
Rare tree species, including Allophylus vestitus (EN), Dypsis pembana (VU), Erica mafiensis (VU), Strophanthus zimmermannii (EN), Vangueria pallidiflora (VU), as well as other important tree populations are protected through this first effort of in situ conservation. Propagation and reinforcement planting employ 14 people, providing them income. Seedlings from target species are planted in the Ngezi-Vumawimbi forest (NVF), as well as in public and private gardens in order to raise awareness and encourage conservation.