Chumbe Island Coral Park Ltd. (CHICOP) is an Eden off the coast of Zanzibar and an award-winning private nature reserve founded back in 1991 with the main objective of conservation and sustainable management of uninhabited Chumbe Island of Zanzibar.
Comprising of a fully protected Coral Reef Sanctuary and Forest Reserve, the reserve also harbour rare wildlife, a Visitor and Education center, a small eco-lodge, nature trails and historical monuments. Being a nature reserved area, the constructions and operations are based on eco-technology aiming at zero impact on the environment through rainwater catchment, photovoltaic energy and solar water heating, composting toilets, vegetative greywater filtration etc..
The administrating objectives of the island are non-commercial, though operations follow commercial principles. The overall aim of CHICOP is to create a model of financially and ecologically sustainable park management, whereby ecotourism supports conservation, research and comprehensive Environmental Education programs for local schools and other benefits for local people.
One of Chumbe Island greatest award winning was in 2011, where it became the first Global Ecosphere Retreat (GER)certified Long Run Destination through the Jochen Zeitz Foundation meant Chumbe Island strives for the highest standards in sustainability through the balance of conservation and commerce, at the same time as fostering community development and cultural stewardship.
Chumbe’s sustainable management and promotion of key ecosystem services on the region has since been recognized on many levels, including being mentioned in the UN Secretary General’s report to the General Assembly on protection of coral reefs for sustainable livelihoods and development, which states: “A noted example for PES (Payment for Ecosystem Services) within the context of coral reefs habitat is the private, non-profit Chumbe Island Coral Park Ltd (CHICOP) in Tanzania (2012)
The Island area is home to an exceptional amount of biodiversity in both plant and animal. For instance, 90% of all hard coral species that have been recorded in Eastern African reefs have been found near Chumbe Island. In coral, about 400 fish species that are part of 50 fish families have been documented, together with more rare species of fish like the Giant Grouper, Epinephelus lanceolatus
Seabirds, such as the Roseate Terns, terna dougalli, have been successfully bred on Chumbe Island, together with the rare species of Robber or Coconut crab, which are frequently seen on the island The creation of this protected area has allowed for the free breeding of fish, coral and other marine species that have begun to repopulate the over-exploited nearby areas such as directly off the coast of Zanzibar.
