In March 2026, construction workers began building a wall at the Ngezi-Vumawimbi Forest Reserve on Pemba Island, Zanzibar, marking what seems to be the boundaries for the proposed Mantuli luxury resort. Following the completion of the wall in the early part of 2026, there has reportedly been no additional work on the site, as indicated by sources from Mongabay. This location is situated in the northwest section of the island, nestled between an old rubber plantation and lands used by local residents for housing, agriculture, and burial grounds. The boundary of the forest reserve lies just beyond these community areas.
According to Tanzania’s 2022 census, the Ngezi-Vumawimbi Forest Reserve is surrounded by ten villages with over 20,000 residents. Local people access the reserve not only for spiritual practices but also for gathering firewood and wild fruits. Research shows that forest resources account for about a third of the annual income for rural communities throughout Pemba Island. Specifically, around the Ngezi area, residents harvest bungo fruit (Saba comorensis) to sell between July and late September, contributing to their income.
The moist forests of Ngezi are home to distinct species of plants and animals. In September 2025, various conservationists and researchers published an open letter in the journal Science, expressing opposition to the Mantuli resort project. They warned that it could threaten the biodiversity of the Ngezi-Vumawimbi forest reserve, which covers 1,500 hectares (3,700 acres) and is among East Africa’s most significant ecological regions. What are your thoughts on the impact of such developments on local communities and biodiversity?
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Source: Mongabay Animals, by Terna Gyuse