Conservation of the last standing mangrove ecosystem in Matafaa Village for its biodiversity and cultural significance to the community’s heritage and sustainable livelihood (WSM/OP3/Y2/06/44)

Project Details & Results

The village of Matafaa first started this project with OLSS Inc., NGO, however this partnership has given the community limited ownership of the project, especially in terms of management. We have now asked the OLSS Inc., and GEF-SGP National Steering Committee that we feel it is best if we take the lead on this project. We agree to take the full responsibility of the project, but we do not want to enter into a partnership again with the NGO to do this project because of the miscommunication we had in the management of the project. We are happy to work with the NGO directly on a project if they provide the funds instead of playing the middle partner, which confuses us on management issues.

For this project, we the village of Matafa’a want to conserve our mangrove ecosystem because it is the only remaining wetland area and the growing population of the village might force families to encroach upon the mangrove for settlement. We would like to protect the mangrove because of its ecological value and how it also contributes in protecting our community from strong storm surges during bad weather. However, the pressure from the increase in people for settlement areas and for subsistence agriculture sometimes lead to poor land management decisions. We are aware that this programme will enable our community to work towards improving community livelihood through sustainable management and conservation of our pristine biodiversity resource.

The purpose of this project is to conserve the mangrove ecosystem for its biodiversity value, cultural significance and also a source of income for the community. The mangrove provides a safe haven for fish breeding and invertebrates, and protects the village from strong storm surges during bad weather. The project intends to achieve the following key objectives;

1. Develop a policy for the full enforcement and protection of the mangrove conservation area, that all residents of the village will abide by this policy;
2. Inventory of the biodiversity of the mangrove ecosystems, by identifying species found in the area
3. Income generating programmes for the community to earn money
4. Capacity-building trainings
5. Extend the project to conserve culturally significant sites located in the village, which holds strong heritage value to the village people
6. Develop a management plan for the project and a long term plan for sustainability when the funding assistance completes.

Notable Community Participation
Everyone in the village
1. Village Council of Chiefs
2. Womens Committee
3. Untitled Men
4. Sunday School Children and Pastor

Capacity - Building Component
- Workshops continue
- Education and awareness on environmental issues affecting the village
- capacity building workshop to train young men on mangrove management

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
Income Generating Activities
- Eco/cultural tourism small developments
- marine resources

Gender Focus
- Both men and women involved in the project

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
- village people are indigenous

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Environment education awareness

Policy Impact
Enforcing of the Marine Managment Plan
Establishment of a Village Sustainable Pla