Loliondo 1 forest rescue and community livelihoods

‘OKOA MSITU WA LOLIONDO 1” the project has the Swahili title which means rescue Loliondo 1 forest. ‘OKOA MSITU WA LOLIONDO 1” the project has the Swahili title which means rescue Loliondo 1 forest. The Loliondo 1 forest is a forest located in Loliondo highlands which are endowed with rich, thick, beautiful and expansive forests (Loliondo, Enguserosambu and Sariani) that plays a vital role in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. These forests are crucial sources of fresh water, flowing year-round and serving as a lifeline for people of Sale and Loliondo divisions. These water sources are essential for the survival of both humans and wildlife within the Serengeti ecosystem

Grumeti river renowned for its larger crocodiles receives its water from Loliondo forests, similarly Lake Natron famous worldwide as a breeding ground for beautiful flamingos greatly benefits from the water supplied by Loliondo forests additionally, this forest significantly contribute to the Mara River which serves as lifeline and refuge for largest migratory ungulates, the wildebeests and zebras during the dry season in the Serengeti National Park.

This forest is  currently in danger of being lost due to various reasons caused by human activities where these activities endanger safety and sustainability of this forest, human activities especially establishment of settlements, agriculture, charcoal burning, cutting down trees for firewood and timbers are threat to this crucial forest, there is big number of settlements and farms into the forest areas which lead to the decreases of forest size from 3,403 hectares in 1959 to 2088 hectares in 2025,timbers, charcoal making and firewood’s collection is increasing deforestation and extinction of some trees species. Deforestation leads to loss of biodiversity, soil degradation and changes in water cycles, it also disrupts the natural habitats of animals which can lead to their extinction.

These activities pose a big threat to this forest and the whole ecosystem that depend on it. there is a need to act in order to rescue this forest from losing its wellness and its crucial importance, as an organization Loliondo Action for Green Earth is implementing this project ‘’OKOA MSITU WA LOLIONDO 1’’ in order to rescue this crucial forest

 Protecting forests requires sustainable managements, planting new trees, monitoring trees health, and educating the public about the importance of these forests, introducing and enforcing legislations can also help to protect forest from deforestations and other threats.

This project is going to be the answer and provide solutions toward this deforestation

Unless we could help the community find ways of making a living without destroying the environment, we could not hope to protect the forest.

This project is going to work in the following important areas

1.    Planting 1,000,000 native trees in the most affected areas of this forest, the project is going to engage the community and the local government around Loliondo 1 forests to plant and taking care of these trees.

2.    Provision of conservation education to the community who are living around this forest, the local community are the one who are the first beneficiaries of this forest through imparting them with conservation education will help to increase their participation in conserving and protecting this forest.

3.    Through cooperation with the government and conservation stakeholders the project is working to help and support the community members to access and use clean cooking energy by working with the government to make sure these communities get cooking stoves with government subside prices, this is helping in reducing the high rate of this forest deforestation (currently this forest is the main source of cooking energy to all communities living around this forest.)

4.     to help the community groups such as women and youth groups to establish and run sustainable projects which help them to earn a living without destroying the forest, provide them with tools like bee hives for bee keeping, introducing them to poultry farming and agroforestry but also COCOBA (community Banking) which help them to earn a living and reduce and stop their dependency on forest products such as timber, firewood and charcoal for earning money( the project is ensuring the community members are forming groups in which through these group the support will be provided but also engaged in conservation, to foster the community empowerment which result to the sense of community ownership of the forest.