THE Zanzibar government, through the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage, has reaffirmed its commitment to developing sustainable tourism that protects marine life, natural ecosystems, and environmental resources.

This commitment was highlighted by South Unguja District Commissioner, Othman Ali Maulid, speaking on behalf of the Minister for Tourism and Heritage, Mudrick Ramadhan Soraga, during a ceremony to release 15 sea turtles back into the ocean at Kizimkazi Dimbani, South Unguja.

He said efforts to conserve marine life — such as sea turtle protection — are a vital component of Zanzibar’s national strategy for sustainable tourism. These efforts not only safeguard biodiversity but also create local employment and support economic growth.

“Releasing sea turtles into the ocean is more than symbolic — it reflects the government’s strategic commitment to protecting marine ecosystems, enhancing tourist attractions, and encouraging both domestic and international tourism,” said Maulid.

He noted that many Zanzibaris have already benefited from tourism-related jobs and called for greater public participation in protecting the environment and local tourism assets.

Maulid also acknowledged infrastructure constraints, especially electricity shortages in South Unguja — a region experiencing rapid tourism growth. He revealed that a major electricity expansion project is underway in partnership with the Zanzibar Electricity Corporation (ZECO) to address this.

In addition, he said improvements to the region’s road network are in progress to ensure long-term accessibility and support continued tourism development.

He urged both local and international visitors to continue exploring Zanzibar, stressing that despite the upcoming election period, Tanzania remains peaceful and business is continuing as usual.

Reading a statement at the event, Salaam Cave manager Zulekha Jamaal Mohd said their turtle conservation initiative is designed to educate the public about the importance of sea turtle preservation and ensure the animals are safely cared for before being released back into the wild.

 “These turtles are part of our marine heritage and draw visitors from around the world. Our role is to protect them and ensure they are returned to the sea in good health,” she said.

Zulekha Jamaal Mohd, however, cited challenges such as poor infrastructure and limited electricity supply in the area. She appealed for support in installing an additional transformer and upgrading internal roads to ease tourist access.

Salaam Cave director, Saleh Shaaban Kassim, added that the turtle release ceremony is part of ongoing efforts to promote marine biodiversity conservation and strengthen tourism in Zanzibar.

 “We need joint cooperation between the government, local communities, and tourism stakeholders to develop sustainable tourism models that protect our marine environment,” he said.

He pledged that Salaam Cave would continue working with environmental partners, the government, and the Kizimkazi community to enhance eco-tourism and environmental education.

Sea turtles are among the marine species protected under Zanzibar law, which prohibits their consumption due to the health risks posed to humans.