Katika msitu wa hifadhi ya kisiwa cha Chumbe imegundulika kwamba kuna aina mbali mbali za mimea. Chini ya uangalizi wa CHICOP, hifadhi hii inafikiriwa kwamba ni moja kati ya eneo tengefu linalolindwa ipasavyo katika Afrika, na eneo ambalo haliharibiwa kati ya misitu ya maweni ndani ya visiwa vidogo vilivyopo Zaznibar.

This week, Chumbe Island Coral Park Ltd. (CHICOP) officially handed over a copy of the “Chumbe Island Botanical Survey, Herbarium Development and Ethnobotanical Report” to Zanzibar’s Department of Forestry, which has just been produced by John Otieno Ndege, Omar Nyange Ame and other botanists.

Wiki hii Chumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP) iliwasilisha rasmi nakala ya “ Utafiti wa mimea ya Kisiwa cha Chumbe, Maendeleo ya Habariam na Repoti ya mimea na matumizi kwa Idara ya Misitu ya Zanzibar, ambayo ilitayarishwa na John Otien Ndege , Omar Nyange Ame pamoja na wataalam wa mimea wengineo.

The study reveals a series of stunning facts about the outstanding natural value of the forest, achieved through 30 years of effective management by CHICOP in collaboration with the Department of Forestry; and explains the wide-spread international recognition in the Chumbe forest and its preservation.

Utafiti huu wa msitu kwa mshangao mkubwa uligundua mfululizo wa mambo yaliokuwa hayakujulikana kabla juu ya thamani na umuhimu wake, kwa miaka 30 ya uhifadhi wake uliotekelezwa na CHICOP kwa mashirikiano na Idara ya Misitu; na umewezesha msitu wa Chumbe kutambuliwa kimataifa pamoja na uhifadhi wake.

178 species of plants belonging to 159 genera and 63 families were found in the Chumbe Forest Reserve. Of these, 82% are considered to be indigenous – making Chumbe Island an area of important biodiversity value within the East African coastal forests, and a global biodiversity hotspot.

Aina 178 za mimea inayotokana na genera 159 na familia 63 ziliweza kugundulika katika Msitu wa Hifadhi wa Chumbe. Asilimia 82 ya mimea hii inafikiriwa kwamba ni asilia—inaifanya Chumbe kuwa ni eneo muhimu la uthamani wa viumbe katika mwambao wa Afrika mashariki na kituo muhimu dunia kwa mimea.

The survey, which was supported by the US Forestry Service, revealed new species, such as Schizostelphanus alatus, which has never before been recorded in Zanzibar; as well as rare and vulnerable species, such as Barleria maritima, Uvariodendron kirkii, Pyrostria bibracteata and Dalbergia vacciniifolia.

Utafiti huu uliofadhiliwa na shirika la huduma ya misitu la Marekani, uliweza kugundua aina mpya ya mimea kama vile Schizostelphanus alatus, ambao haujawahi kurekodiwa hapa Zanzibar vilvile mimea adimu ambao upo hatarini kutoweka kama vile Barleria maritima, Uvariodendron kirkii, Pyrostria bibracteata na Dalbergia vacciniifolia.

Another species found on Chumbe – Lannea welwitschii var ciliolata – has only recently been discovered in the Zanzibar archipelago; and has been identified as an important canopy species in the unique Chumbe forest.

Mmea mwengine ulioonekana Chumbe – Lannea welwitschii var ciliolata – ambao umevumbuliwa karibuni hapa kisiwani Zanzibar; na umetambuliwa ni mti muhimu kwa kivuli kwa katika msitu wa kipekee wa Chumbe.

In partnership with the Zanzibar Forestry Department, collections were also made, to be housed in the field herbarium to be established as part of this work. Team members from the Forestry Department, Zanzibar Herbarium and the education and ranger team on Chumbe, all received training and capacity building through this work.

Kwa ushirikiano na Idara ya Misitu ya Zanzibar, ukusanyaji wa sampuli za mimea ulifanyika kwa ajili ya kutengeneza habariam kama ni moja katika kazi hiyo. Washiriki kutoka Idara ya misitu Zanzibar, Makumbusho ya Zanzibar kitengo cha Habariam , wanataaluma na timu ya Ranja ya Chumbe, wote hawa walipata mafunzo na mafunzo ya kiutendaji katika kazi hii.

This work has once again revealed the exceptional natural and cultural heritage being protected on Chumbe Island, where CHICOP also provides extensive education services for school children and training for wider community members from across Zanzibar.

Kazi hii ya utafiti kwa mara nyingine ilionesha upekee wa kiasilia na urithi wa mila na tamadununi zinavyolindwa na kuhifadhiwa katika kisiwa cha Chumbe, ambapo pia Chumbe inatoa huduma za kielimu ya mazingira kwa wanafunzi na jamii yote kwa ujumla.

The Chumbe forest preserves this heritage, for today and for future generations.

Msitu wa Chumbe unahifadhi urithi huu, kwa kizazi cha leo na kwa vizazi vinavyokuja.