The Problem
Mafia Ornithological and Research Centre (MOREC) Is group of interested and keen birders on Mafia joined together and established a centre for birdlife conservation, the centre established since 2013 and officially registered in 2016 as its headquarter is located in Mafia at Utende village. Nowdays Mafia Ornithological and Research Centre (MOREC) has been very resource for organization in Tanzania and International as focal point centre in Birdlife, Wildlife Conservation, wetlands, Marine, Tourism, Environment and Research.
Tanzania is a top bird watching destination, it offers ample opportunity to view wide variety of birds, from migratory to residents birds. In Tanzania, there are birds literally everywhere from the icy barrens around Kilimanjaro snowy summit to sun-baked soda shores of its many lakes; from coral reefs and inlets in the blue Indian Ocean to the hippo pools at Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater. Tanzania birdlife is vast, abundant and thriving; more than 467 species have been recorded in Dar es Salaam area.
Birds are probably most conspicuous, lively and widely distributed of all animals. Bird watching is one of the fascinating and fastest growing recreational pastimes in the world and can be exciting than watching the big five animals in the national parks. Coast regions including Dar es Salaam have endowed with 470 birds species surrounding the area out of total 1097 birds in Tanzania (Birds of Dar es Salaam, Gudrum Wium – Anderson Fiona Reid).
This wealth of birdlife on the doorstep of coastal regions of 10 million people should not go unnoticed, but in fact the majority of the residents are unaware of their diverse avian neighbors. In order to promote Birds watching tourism in Mafia District, there is need to identify and establish bird conservation centers where there is availability and accessibility of birdlife at different parts of coast regions’ districts and villages.
The project is intended to describe details of 210 bird species available in Mafia District, when and where to find birds, with additional information on migration and conservation. Also to solve the problem of visitors and new birders who are confused by the huge number of birds described in the current guides for eastern and southern Africa. Lots of birders from abroad have been in where to go for birdwatching on Mafia Islands?
We want to implement this project in very high performance where people in Mafia will be able to benefit during the project implementation as well make it as sustainable project for beneficiaries of the project. But also students will be as memory for future as training and bird watching will be conducted on every Saturday from the selected bird watching area at the office where schedule will be on board for full month.
Our Plan
WHY BIRDLIFE CONSERVATION PROJECT IN MAFIA DISTRICT
In expanding cities and towns, the demand for land often outweighs conservation issues; forest and scrubs are cleared, wetlands are drained and pollution flows into rivers. Both humans and wildlife suffers. It is well known that birds are indicators of the health of the environment which in turn affects the health and wellbeing of the human population.
The major threats to indigenous birds in the cities and towns are lack and quality of suitable habitats and the super abundance of house crows. There are numerous ways to combat both these problems where the distribution of Indian House Crow has extremely increasingly after ceased of huge project of House Crow Eradication where conducted with Ministry of Natural Resource and Tourism incorporate with Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST).
In coastal region, birds and human needs shade from sun. For the birds, the presence of forest and also provide them with protection from predators and sheltered nesting sites, barbets, kingfishers, parrots needs tree, holes for nesting. Palm swifts nest under older palm leaves. So far there is no any organization or group which deals with birdlife conservation on Mafia Islands that is why Mafia Ornithological and Research Centre established in order to raise awareness on conservation and environment so youth and individuals can cross their fingers in conserve nature of Mafia.
Trees and dredger flowers, shrubs also provide perches and food for varieties indigenous birds, flowers attract the tiny iridescent sun birds and seeding the colorful finches. The black- headed heron will stalk through long grass looking for snakes and frogs. A well-planted school ground garden or school ground could indeed become a bird heaven.
Birds conservation, therefore urges the global community to do the following:-
Create incentives for the poor countries to limit their emissions while safeguarding their bare right to development;
Ensure capital REDD include provision for conservation biodiversity and incorporate local communities;
Transfer existing and new adaptation technology measures and provide support for south-south knowledge transfer;
Build capacity for poor countries, especially those in Africa to engage and benefit from climate change financial mechanisms; and
Integrate climate change initiatives into national MDG–based sustainable development plans as of their contribution to global adaptation and mitigation.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
(i) To identify birdlife environmental habitat and conserve the areas;
(ii) To develop and promote birds watching tourism and conservation;
(iii) To identify and monitor birds breeding areas in Mafia district of coastal region;
(iv) To identify birds species existence and create conducive environment to attract more incoming birders;
(v) To empower Mafia district indigenous to care birds and their natural environment.
(vi) To prepare data and checklist for the whole islands and provide regular training into primary and secondary schools in Mafia.
(vii) Conducting weekly Saturday birdwatching through the selected site from birdwatchers
(viii) Establishment of birding and Tourism information Centre for the all hotels, lodges and campsites in Mafia.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
(i) To identify birds existence and breeding areas in the Mafia Islands of coastal region;
(ii) To identify fifteen (15) birds guides and conduct training of birds guiding;
(iii) To conduct workshop for birds environmental conservation in nine villages;
(iv) To develop and publish promotional materials of birds watching tourism.
(v) To conserve all wetlands resources as well important bird area on Mafia.
PROJECT OUTCOME
(i) Identified number of bird species existing in Mafia Islands of coastal region will be known.
(ii) Identified nine villages for birds’ conservation breeding areas/sites in three districts of the coastal region will be known.
(iii) Identified nine villages for training of 270 villagers on birdlife environment conservation areas/sites will be trained.
(iv) Identified fifteen (15) bird guides to be trained on birds watching tourism in three districts of the coastal region will be known.
(v) Additional tourism new product of birds watching in the coastal region.
(vi) Increased government revenue through birds watching tourism.
(vii) Create self-employment for 15 birds’ guides in the three districts of coastal region.
(viii) The number of 4500 birds watching promotional materials (brochures, leaflets, posters and booklets) will be produced and disseminated in different tourist centers in Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Arusha and Zanzibar.
