12/10/2023 0 Comments Sabaki estuaryCrouched in a grove of older trees, Kagema spotted clusters of tiny green shoots bursting out of the dark soil-evidence of natural regeneration, an ecosystem on the mend. “The world is changing, a lot. There are early signs that their efforts are paying off. Further down the Sabaki, where its brown waters meet the blue ocean, and swarms of migratory birds flock overhead, a team of volunteers plant mangrove saplings along the riverbank. They’ve planted tens of thousands in recent years, reclaiming cleared land and aiding significant forest regrowth, said Francis Kagema, coast regional coordinator from conservation group Nature Kenya. One tree at a time, local villagers are bringing the estuary back to lifeīut one tree at a time, local villagers are bringing the estuary back to life. Back in the day, we used to have a huge forest with elephants and monkeys,” said Francis Nyale, a 68-year-old village elder, standing among a clearing of gnarled mangrove stumps. Mangrove wood-harvested sustainably for centuries to build traditional Swahili homes-was chopped down to feed construction in fast-growing coastal towns like nearby Malindi, a popular tourism hub. Locals overfished the river, using mosquito nets that trapped even the smallest of sea life.įertile soils were uprooted and washed downstream into the Indian Ocean, further reducing fish in the Sabaki and killing coral reefs offshore. There are no more left,” said the 42-year-old Kenyan, who grew up on the estuary and possesses a seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of its flora and fauna. The surviving tree is a somber reminder for local communities working to restore this critical ecosystem to health, and make amends for the plunder of the past.įor generations villagers living near the Sabaki estuary had relied on its natural bounty for lumber and firewood, fresh water, seafood, farming land, and plants for traditional medicine. Sustainably nurtured, the coastal wetland is also a resilient ally in the face of a changing climate-storing carbon, filtering water pollution, and protecting against extreme weather and rising sea levels.īut years of unchecked exploitation inflicted terrible damage on the mangroves, mudflats, freshwater pools and sandy dunes at the mouth of Kenya’s second-longest river. Local tour guides are usually at hand to take visitors through the amazing tour.MALINDI, Kenya: Along a riverbank scarred by logging, Joseph Mwandenge Mangi points out a solitary mangrove tree, a species once abundant in the forest where the mighty Sabaki River meets the sea. “This is the last one. ![]() Students from various institutions also make part of the visitors. Both local and foreign visitors visit the area. Most of the visitors who throng this place have a very wonderful time. The number of these birds keep on changing due to its proximity to other Important Bird Areas (IBA) in the neighbourhood like the Arabuko-Sokoke and Mida Creek, Dakatcha Woodlands and Tana River Delta.Īlso Read: The thrills and whispers of River Rare in Ganze Mud flats are a vital habitat for migratory waders, gulls and terns, and theĬoastal scrub and wetlands adjacent to the river mouth are an important habitįor shorebirds and other water birds. It hosts a number of rare beautiful birds. Sabaki River Mouth is listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA)īy Birdlife International. North of the estuary are sand dumes and Mambrui villageĬould be seen from here with its makuti thatched Swahili houses. The River is also infested with crocodiles.Īlso Read: Hell’s Kitchen: The beauty in the woodlands When lucky, you may see large hippopotamus basking in the sun on the river banks. It is scenery that leaves most visitors asking to be back the next time they visit the area. ![]() It is very interesting during high tides when sea water tends to rush out and clash with the reddish in coming river water. It is at this point where sea water mix with the river water. This is where visitors witness water fighting. ![]() The hidden destination only frequented by a few birdwatchers marks where a river pours its water into an ocean yet the sea has rejected the water for years. From the main road to the charismatic, unique estuary is about one kilometer. ![]() River Sabaki cuts the Malindi-Lamu main road at a place near the Marafa junction.
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