Sustainable mangrove conservation and inclusive development in the Sherbro River Estuary

This policy brief reviews the socio-economic challenges of local communities co-located in critical ecosystems.

The authors examine the case of sustainable mangrove conservation in the Sherbro River Estuary, evaluating the potential environmental benefits of mangrove conservation against the use cases for mangroves by local communities. 

To address the challenge of balancing productive use and environmental benefits, we propose a holistic approach that integrates inclusive development and mangrove conservation strategies. 

Key findings reveal that:

• The region grapples with income disparities, with 45% of households reporting a decline in income over the past five years.
• Land tenure insecurity is prevalent, with 40% fearing the loss of collecting firewood rights.
• Local communities are highly dependent upon mangroves for household activities, including firewood for cooking, construction materials, and food harvesting.
• Despite awareness of mangrove benefits, there is a lack of concern for conservation, and governance structures to protect mangroves are largely absent.