Conservation, Culture, and Cooperation

          This trip has continued to prove to be an amazing experience.  We left Stone Town, and are now staying at Panga Chumvi, a beach resort on Matemwe, located on the northeastern part of Zanzibar Island.  Although the weather continues to be quite hot...as tropical regions tend to be...the location here is once again, very beautiful.  

          This post will focus on the experiences and information gathered during our groups tour of the park.  Jozani Chwaka bay national park is located at about 35 kilometers from Stone Town on the southeastern part of Zanzibar Island.  The three areas that will be discussed include the geographic nature of the park, biodiversity, and social influences that permeate the park.  These three topics relating to the park are then explained through a personal reflection in the context of conservation efforts in Tanzania.   

          The name of the park itself carries two meanings.  The first is "The Flooding of the Rainforest".  This name primarily speaks to the geogaphic nature of the park, as certain regions of the park tend to remain wet year round.  The second is "Comes from the small pond".  The park area is divided into four distinct ecosystems.  These are Swamps, Coral, Salt Marshs, and Mangroves.  As one might imagine, as a result of this ecologic diversity, the park is 1 of 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world.  The park is home to many endemic and endangered species, including some that are only found within the confines of Jozani Park.  These include 10-15 leopards that migrate throughout the park, theTuraco bird, Casina Jozani Frog, and over 100 bird species.
         
 The park is also home to a variety of snake species such as the green mamba, forest cobra, python, and other tree snake species.  (And yes if you were wondering I did indeed contemplate sprinting over to the bus and locking myself inside it upon learning of the species we may come across).  In particular, the less dangerous, but far more destructive species to the native farmers reside in the park as well.  Both the bush pig and the colobus monkey make a habit of either eating the roots of plants, or completely destroying farmers crops in the region.  Because the animals are such a problem, many farmers try to harm the animals whenever they see them.  Although we did not get to see the Bush pigs, (which is probably a good thing as they are supposed to be huge and quite possibly could eat me), we did get the special privilege of getting up close to the monkeys as they jumped from tree to tree.  

In addition to the animal biodiversity in the park, there were many native and non-native species of plants and trees living within the park, many of which are used for medicinal purposes in the area.  These range from child birth, child prevention, stomach issues, diarrhea, malaria treatment, headaches, joint pain, infections, convulsion treatment for children, and a host of other treatments for illnesses.  Really, if there is a problem, the Zanzibari people have at least two or three types of plants/trees that can help it seems.  Culturally speaking, we learned the trees also served as outlets for some of the darker aspects of society as well, which especially as an outsider (Mzungu) you should not openly talk about with local people.  Many people in Tanzania still today follow witchcraft and spell making.  Those who practice dark medicines and spells are called Witchdoctors, and are said to be able to cast curses on people, as well as assist in matters ranging from love all the way to revenge.  Our guide explained that roots, barks or leaves from many trees can be used to make potions or concoctions for spells, such as love potions, for luck, and other things of the sort.  Leopards are apparently seen to some here as mystical animals that are bewitched by witch doctors to be their pets.  Supposedly, the doctors cast a spell over the animals to make them their servants/pets.  According to tradition,  these leopards can serve an additional purpose, which is to act as an assassin of sorts for the witch doctor.  Some believe that the witch doctor can command their pet leopard to kill farmers animals for them.  In this way, the doctors are able to create an image of power over the local people by producing a sense of fear.  Because of this, whenever a person saw a leopard, it was quite likely for them to feel a sense of fear, as they were aware of what the witch doctor was capable of instructing the animal. 

Because of the diversity that exists within the park, it is important to promote conservation efforts.  Since species such as the Colobus monkey, Zanzibar Juti Butterfly, and Casina Jozani Frog are endemic to the region, it is important to promote efforts to protect their species.  The mangrove forests also serve many purposes to society which merit protection.  The forests not only provide shelter to many coastal species, but also protect local villages, as they keep the land from eroding and giving away during particularly harsh rainy seasons.   Culturally, the forests and flora present in the area serve a unique purpose for the local people through their customs, spiritualism, and medicinal practices.  Because of this, conservation efforts across Tanzania, and particularly on islands such as Zanzibar, Mafia, and others, must account for the social and cultural impacts of their work.  Organizations need to work with the people when creating policies, rather than against or above them.  Without consulting with and getting information from the indigenous people, conservation efforts may never truly be successful.

As this trip continues, I learn more and more about the cultural history of this place and how intricately tied the people are with their environment.  This enlightenment serves as both inspiration and opportunity for personal reflection on what I can contribute to this world.  I am excited for the coming days that may not simply provide me the opportunity to experience more, but also learn as well.