Eco-tourism Activity (Community Nature walk and Conservation talk)
Tanzania Mwangaza project team together with student and villagers, we visited Prison Island which is also known as Changuu island or Quarantine station for yellow fever plague. As for today the island is popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, historical ruins, and a sanctuary for Giant Aldabra tortoise who are categorized in the group of vulnerable species by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
In the nature Walk we had a glimpse on the origin of the Giant Aldabra tortoise where as the were given as a gift to Sultan for his slave trade enhancement. The life cycle of the Aldabra giant tortoise begins when the female lays eggs in a nest, usually 9 to 25 at a time, which incubate for 3 to 8 months. After hatching, the small and vulnerable hatchlings emerge and must fend for themselves. As they grow into juveniles, their shells harden for better protection. They continue to grow slowly and reach sexual maturity between 20 and 30 years of age. Once fully mature, adult tortoises can live over 200 years and reproduce, thus continuing the life cycle.
In the Conservation Talk in ecotourism we discussed on the measure used by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUNC), as why are categorize as vulnerable species, due to habitat loss and other threats. They are important for maintaining ecosystem balance by spreading seeds and grazing. Conservation efforts include protecting habitats, controlling invasive species, captive breeding, and legal protection under CITES and as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At the end of the day, we cleaned Forodhani beach with the students and group discussion on pollution and its impacts on the environment especially on the coastal environment.
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