A dedicated community mangrove conservation group in Fuoni Kibondeni, Urban West B District, Unguja, has issued a desperate plea for strong and immediate action against individuals involved in acts of sabotage that threaten nearly two decades of environmental protection efforts.

Members of the group, which has voluntarily safeguarded the critical mangrove ecosystem for the past two decades, highlighted a worrying surge in illegal mangrove cutting within the protected area.

They warned that if the destruction continues, it will rapidly undermine conservation initiatives and jeopardize ecological balance that is essential for coastal zone stability and livelihoods of surrounding communities.

The urgent call for help was made at midweek during a monitoring tour of the various mangrove zones conducted by Abdalla Ali Sharifu, the Urban West B district forest officer, who unequivocally condemned the destruction, acknowledging the vital importance of mangroves and their significant role in conservation strategies as a whole.

What preoccupies the volunteer group is nighttime destruction and fading morale, with Ali Juma, a long-serving member of the conservation group, explaining that environmental destruction is escalating due to individuals invading the protected areas under the cover of darkness.

Illegally harvested wood is primarily being used for charcoal burning and other unauthorized commercial activities that have long been prohibited under national conservation laws, he said, elaborating that the group has been protecting the coastal zone for about two decades.

“It has been our responsibility—done voluntarily—to defend the environment and ensure these mangroves remain a heritage for current and future generations," he stated, while another member, Asha Silima, expressed deep concern that their longstanding volunteer efforts are now at risk of failure.

The scale of the illegal cutting has increased dramatically, threatening the survival of the fragile ecosystem, she said, worried that as guardians of that area for many years, their morale is fading. “People come at night and cut the mangroves recklessly. We need the government to act urgently, or this protected area will be completely destroyed,” she emphasized.

The government is pledging a special anti-poaching operation in response to the community's outcry, focused on climate resilience, targeting producing clean air and protecting shorelines from storm surges.

Ecological stability is similarly in focus, preventing soil erosion and providing crucial habitats for marine species that support local livelihoods through fishing, the district official underlined, affirming that the cutting of mangroves in protected zones violates environmental conservation laws and cannot be tolerated.

The forest department, in close collaboration with the district commissioner’s office, will immediately launch a special operation across all mangrove conservation areas within the district, he stated, insisting that the government cannot allow this destruction to last longer. “These conservation areas belong to all citizens. A crackdown is being initiated to ensure those responsible are arrested and brought before the law," he affirmed, detailing that the operation would involve routine patrols, arrests and strict legal action to deter environmental offenders.

Appealing for community vigilance the conservation group has proactively stepped up surveillance in affected areas, with members organizing shifts to protect the ecosystem day and night.

The members issued a final appeal to residents of Fuoni Kibondeni and the entire district, urging them to take environmental protection seriously and report any suspicious activities, including unauthorized mangrove cutting or land encroachment.

Their message is clear, that safeguarding the mangroves is not merely a local duty but a national responsibility essential for climate resilience, biodiversity protection and the welfare of future generations. Success of the conservation efforts now hinges on sustained government enforcement coupled with active community participation, they added.