Conservation of Coastal Eco-Systems in Tanzania: The PWANI Project

The project, implemented by the University of Rhode Island's Coastal Resources Center, has a duration of four years, from December 15, 2009, to December 14, 2013, with a total budget of $4,377,061. The project's primary target areas are the coastal districts of Bagamoyo, Pangani, and Zanzibar, with a focus on protecting critical coastal forests, wildlife, and freshwater resources. The project also aims to protect critical marine ecosystems and endangered species, such as sea turtles, and to support the implementation of the Saadani National Park Authority (SANAPA) marine zone. The project's human dimensions component focuses on increasing the resilience of communities to climate change impacts, promoting economic benefits from natural resource management-based businesses, and providing HIV/AIDS prevention and mitigation activities in Pangani. During the reporting period of January 1 to March 31, 2011, the project achieved several key results. The number of hectares in areas of biological significance under improved management increased to 102,046, representing 31% of the target area. The project also implemented eight policies, laws, agreements, or regulations promoting sustainable natural resource management and conservation. In terms of economic benefits, the project reported a 59% increase in the number of individuals with increased economic benefits derived from sustainable natural resource management. The project also trained 281 individuals, representing 34% of the target number, and implemented risk-reducing practices to improve resilience to climate change. The project's HIV/AIDS prevention and mitigation activities in Pangani reached 697 individuals, representing 107% of the target number. The project also reached 113 fishermen with individual and/or small group level preventive interventions. The project's administrative update and coordination with the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) are ongoing, with regular meetings and progress reports submitted to NEMC. The project's activities are divided into three main components: Protect Critical Coastal Forests, Wildlife, and Freshwater Resources; Protect Critical Marine Ecosystems and Endangered Species; and Human Dimensions of the Coastal Ecosystem. The project's activities include critical coastal area use planning, mariculture zoning, protection and monitoring of coastal forests and associated wildlife, and reducing deforestation through improving energy technologies. The project's results are monitored and evaluated through a performance monitoring plan, which tracks progress against the project's strategic objectives and indicators. The project's success is measured through the achievement of its key results, including the number of hectares under improved management, the number of policies and regulations implemented, and the number of individuals with increased economic benefits. The project's team is led by Jeremiah Daffa, the Pwani Director of the Tanzania Coastal Management Partnership, and includes Elin Torell, the Project Manager of the Coastal Resources Center, and Cindy Moreau, the Business Manager of the Coastal Resources Center. The project's team works closely with NEMC, government departments, and local institutions to ensure the project's success. The project's budget for the reporting period was $585,910, with $1,900,000 obligated to date. The project's pipeline for future funding is $585,910.