|
The northwestern corner of Mohéli hosts some of the island’s most important turtle nesting beaches. However, the region has to date been neglected by previous conservation efforts and lies outside the boundaries of Mohéli Marine Park.
With Year of the Turtle sponsorship from IOSEA, the NGO ‘Community Centred Conservation’ (C3) and FADEVICHO (the village association of Hoani) have collaborated on the construction of a conservation centre for Hoani and the wider northwest region of Mohéli.
 Work on the Conservation Centre started in June 2006, and its opening was set for the beginning of December 2006. The Centre is located on a turtle nesting beach close to Hoani, and comprises two rooms. The first room has been designed to accommodate anti-poaching teams for night patrols and for tourists who wish to view turtles nesting at night. The second room has been designed to inform tourists and villagers about conservation issues on Mohéli. The room displays information posters and brochures on turtles, as well as information on the history of Hoani village and the surrounding region.
 There are also handicrafts, postcards and T-shirts on sale for tourists, revenue from which will be channeled back into conservation initiatives in the village.
Two murals have been painted on the centre by Audrey Clarke (C3), with assistance from the local community. The specific designs for the paintings were chosen by the village association to portray the environment of Mohéli and the species that live within it.
C3 and FADEVICHO are very pleased with the progress being made on the Centre. It is already generating motivation for turtle monitoring activities – villagers out on patrol were successful in arresting several poachers in the months of August and September 2006.
Source text and photos:
Chris Poonian
Projects Manager
Community Centred Conservation (C3)
chris@c-3.org.uk
|
print
