The NEGLECTED treasures of Zanzibar.
the potential of masingini forest in tourism AND NATIONAL Economy
By YUSSUF H. kOMBO
Masingini forest is locates 8 km from Zanzibar municipality. The jungle has 566 ha of natural and planted tree stands. It is situated at the highest peak of Zanzibar with 120 meter point above sea level. The forest is one among rare scenes in the world with hundreds of attractions for tourist and conservation values with international significance.
Historically the forest was established in 1950s for the purpose of conservation of water sources for Zanzibar town. This allows the forest to be one among the very sensitive catchment area to be protected from any kind of destruction and pollutions. The jungle harbors at over 150 plant species most of them with medical values. The water sources of Bububu, Bumbwisudi, Kianga, Mwera, Dole, Mtoni, Kihinani, Kizimbani and even those in far areas such as Mtwango, Fuoni and Kaburi Kikombe their hydrological system are believed to be well connected to the Masingini forest. Any destruction of the forest might lead to shortage of water in these sources. Unfortunately this importance is narrowly taken into account as the forest is being encroached, water sources invaded for construction and agriculture. Bububu main spring getting dry while construction of houses is taking place in few meters from the sources point.
The jungle is composed of both natural forest and planted forest. The planted forest was mainly for timber comprising hard timber species and soft wood species. The main soft wood species for poles and timber is mainly Pines (Pinus caribaea), locally knows and mipains. The hard wood timber species found in the forest include Callophyllum illophylum - locally known as Mtondo), Eucalyptus species – blue gum locally known as mkaratusi, Tectona grandis - teak locally known as msaji and Melicia excelsa – iroko locally known as Mvule. http://kombo-ulcers.blogspot.com/
Indigenous natural growing trees with timber and medical values include Jambolan – (Syzygium cuminii) locally known as Mzambarau, Clove trees (Eugenia caryophyllus) locally known as mkarafuu, Erythrophloeum suaveolens locally known as mwavi, Parinari curatellifolia locally known as Mbura and Bamboo species mainly Bambusa vulgaris. These are just few species to mention, however, the site is comprised with several climbers and ferns with commercial values. Saba comorensis – the rubber vines locally known as Mbungo is one among the potential species in tourism industry of Zanzibar. http://zanzibar-biodiversity-climate-energy.blogspot.com/
Attractions and values of Masingini forest
The forest is rich in attractions of which most of investors and Zanzibaris are not aware of. Some of these are seen as useless by local inhabitants in the surrounding villages and even in town. However, their commercial values or their indirect contribution to national economy is of paramount importance. To mention few the following are among more that 30 potential investment opportunities in the forest.
i) Steep and deep gullies: within the jungle you can find deep gullies with attractive scenes with multiple plant species composition in it. The gullies are marvelous sites for actors and film makers. They can be even converted into underground reservoirs and storage or camouflage sites.
ii) Botanical garden: Zanzibar is having no botanical garden. The older one at Migombani is almost dead with less value as aimed earlier. The only potential site for botanical garden is Masingini forest. Many tree species are found in this paradise. The multilayer forest with climbers, ferns and lianas make the jungle marvel.
The fact that the forest is closer to Zanzibar town, located in accessible site with tarmac roads, closer to Zanzibar Masingini zoo, closer to Kizimbani agriculture research station and Kidichi spices gardens make the site the only unexploited resource for the purpose. The availability of technician and ethno-botanist, and experience person in botanical matters in Zanzibar has not been fully invested into multi-million profit worth potential ventures like this.
iii) Nature trailing: Jozani forest is having nature trials where visitor passes and anjoy the forest. The foresters and tourist guides the visitors and explain the values, uses and conservation values of individual species of both flora and fauna. Masingini forest can be converted the same and this might catch huge number of visitors as the forest is located in urban vicinity.
vi) Birds, Reptiles and mammals watching: many species of birds are found in the forest. One visiting the forest can enjoy birds singing freely and happily in the calm, cool and green well stocked tropical forest of its kind. Birds such as greenbacks, tambourine doves and paradise flycatchers, bee eaters etc and be found in the jungle.
Red colobus monkeys, Sykes monkeys, bush babies, wild pigs, pythons and variety of snakes,
chameleons, and lizards (including green geckos, plated lizard and monitor lizards) are found in the forest, swamp areas and in the forest centered lake. In the wet lands and ponds are decorated by the sonorous cracking from toads and frogs.
vii) For those who have visited Tokyo, I believe they have experienced the wonder of Tokyo tower. This is the most exiting venture and it fetches millions of dollar per year. Masingini forest being at the highest point in Unguja Island has all potentialities of this nature. The beautiful panorama of Zanzibar town with blue seas and sun set in horizons makes the place extra ordinary.
viii) Jungle marathons: the jungle has roads and paths that allow the runners to make use of them in organizing jungle marathons. Rough roads can also be used in forest cycling. The tradition of forest picnic is not well established in Zanzibar. Forest picnics are common and one among the most popular days out venture in Europe. Italy for example you can find the Valombrosa forest and in Japan the Hakone national park saves this kind of service. The same can be applied in Zanzibar.
Masingini forest with under utilized forest stands of pines, eucalyptus, teaks and several indigenous species has a potential of saving the purpose.
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Mr. Yussuf Kombo [MSc.]
The Zanzibar experienced herbalist and forest environmentalist
yhkombo@yahoo.com
Mobile: +255 713 459447
Mobile: +255 772 371701
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