CORDIO East Africa’s Training is paving the way for a Greener Kwale-Tanga Transboundary Region – The Kwale-Tanga transboundary region spans the coastal areas between Kwale County in Kenya and Tanga Region in Tanzania. This area is significant for its rich biodiversity, including extensive coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and diverse marine life, making it a critical habitat for endangered species such as sea turtles and dugongs.
Economic Importance and Ecological Significance
The region is economically important, supporting local livelihoods through fishing, tourism, and small-scale agriculture. Coastal resources provide sustenance and income for communities on both sides of the border. Due to its ecological significance, there are ongoing conservation efforts aimed at protecting marine and coastal ecosystems. These efforts include initiatives to promote sustainable fishing practices, establish marine protected areas, and support community-based conservation programs.
Challenges and Collaborative Solutions
However, the region faces challenges such as overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change impacts. Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts between Kenya and Tanzania. Various transboundary initiatives promote collaboration between the two countries in managing shared resources. These initiatives include joint projects, policies, and frameworks to enhance conservation and sustainable development in the region.
Pushing the transformative action to conserve the resources in this region, is the CORDIO EAST AFRICA through;
The Kwale-Tanga Transboundary Project
The Kwale-Tanga transboundary area exemplifies the need for integrated coastal management and international cooperation to ensure the sustainable use of shared natural resources. The Kwale-Tanga Transboundary project, funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI-Germany), is an ambitious endeavor aimed at conserving marine and nearshore biodiversity in the border regions of Kwale, Kenya, and Tanga, Tanzania. This project seeks to establish a robust mechanism for the effective transboundary and participatory management of marine and coastal resources, ensuring the protection and sustainable use of these vital ecosystems.
Training and Capacity Building for Community Scouts
In preparation for the project’s official launch, implementing partners CORDIO East Africa and GIZ (German International Cooperation) have organized a comprehensive three-day training session for 40 community scouts. This training focused on human rights and gender aspect in marine and coastal resource conservation. Participants, including representatives from government institution and local community leaders, were equipped with enhanced community engagement and conflict resolution skills. The training also covered important topics such as Kenya’s biodiversity and ecosystems and sustainable fishing practices.
Commitment to Collaborative Conservation
The commitment of Kwale County Government Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Roman Shera, who joined the training, underscores the project’s importance and the collaborative effort required to achieve its goals. Through such initiatives, the Kwale-Tanga Transboundary project aims to foster a more inclusive and effective approach to conserving and managing the precious marine and coastal resources of this unique region.
CORDIO East Africa’s Training is paving the way for a Greener Kwale-Tanga Transboundary Region
