Green heroes (E F N)
Whether its protecting sea turtles in Sierra Leone or getting rid of rubbish in Uganda, Africa’s green heroes offer a shining example of what we should be doing to conserve our planet
Illustrations Ray Zapanta
Resolute in their pursuit of a greener future for Africa, conservationists, campaigners and environmentalists across the continent are no strangers to putting their lives on the line to preserve green spaces, protect wildlife and encourage more sustainable policies. Thanks to their ingenuity and commitment, they’ve improved the incomes of thousands of small farmers and empowered local communities to act more responsibly. We meet some of the campaigners leading Africa’s green revolution.
Edward Aruna, 39, Sierra Leone
Aruna works tirelessly to preserve Sierra Leone’s sea turtles For nearly 15 years Edward Aruna, from the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone, has been researching and protecting sea turtles. Despite being protected by law, the creatures still face capture in fishermen’s nets, being eaten by villagers and losing their nesting sites to rising sea waters. “I want to lead my life full of challenges, so I took up this one up,” Aruna says laughing.
He has worked with coastal communities to tag and release more than 200 turtles since 2003 and, backed by international donors, has hired 30 beach monitors and persuaded local communities to enjoy turtles’ looks not their flesh. Katrina Manson
Pedro Vaz Pinto, 41, Angola
Vaz Pinto is credited with saving the giant sable antelope from extinction When the Angolan civil war ended after almost three decades, people feared the giant sable antelope – a national symbol – was no more. But Pedro Vaz Pinto refused to give up. He established the Giant Sable Conservation Project to track down the last remaining herds. Today, the giant sables are officially protected and their numbers have grown to 200.
In 2006, he received the Whitley Award in recognition of his work. Miriam Mannak
Awa Fall, 43, Senegal
Fall is using a method of tree planting called assisted regeneration to improve her village’s quality of life “Eight years ago, this place was almost uninhabited,” says Awa Fall, gesturing to the mud huts in front of her. “At night, sand would blow in from the desert and each morning we’d have to dig ourselves out. It was impossible to live here.”
Fall and 30 other farmers worked with the development agency Plan Senegal to plant drought-resistant indigenous trees, such as eucalyptus and acacia. The village is now surrounded by woodland.
“Wild birds are returning and even monkeys are coming back,’ says Fall. “We can’t believe this is happening and in such a short space of time.” Angela Robson
Alex Byarugaba, 52, Uganda
The proprietor of Plastic Recycling Industries Limited is getting rid of endless garbage and waste in Kampala In eastern Kampala, Alex Byarugaba recycles plastic bottles into raw material, which is then used to make carpets and winter clothes. “It’s a pity garbage collectors spend so much money dumping waste, when it can be used as raw material for various products,” he says.
A $1m (UGX 2bn/€780,000) investment, partially funded by the Netherlands government, is a dream come true for Byarugaba, who has “always been obsessed with the idea of turning waste into money”. Phillip Corry
Adama Bah, 56, The Gambia
Bah founded Gambia Tourism Concern in 1994 and is West Africa’s leading proponent of sustainable tourism In 2000, Adama Bah founded the Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism to support small enterprises. He was instrumental in setting up Gambia is Good in 2004, which supplies local fruit and vegetables to hotels that previously imported supplies from Europe.
That same year, Bah was awarded the World Travel Market Responsible Tourism Award for the greatest individual contribution to responsible tourism. He has since coordinated the country’s responsible tourism policy and is currently Gambian projects coordinator for the Travel Foundation. His ambition is “to get tourists to support the local economy by buying local goods and services”. Richard Trillo
Wangari Maathai, 69, Kenya
Dr Maathai is a Nobel Peace Prize winning environmentalist
Wangari Maathai never went in search of recognition yet her unwavering commitment to bettering her environment was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Since then, Dr Maathai’s credentials as a green heroine have escalated and in 2006 she headed the United Nations Billion Tree Campaign.
So, should she hang up her boots now? “I’m quite sure we can do more,” she says in a characteristically forthright manner. “I can’t wait for the campaign to hit two billion.” Victoria Averill
Sleep in eco-style
If all this talk of green heroes has got you thinking about your green credentials, one way you can improve your carbon footprint is by sleeping soundly in one of these spectacular eco-lodges
Sosian Lodge Kenya
This restored African ranch is highly involved in community and conservation work. It collects rainwater for drinking, uses only dead branches for heating and employs 80 staff from the local community. It also offers home cooking using fresh ingredients from the organic vegetable garden. sosian.com
Camp Rio Longa Angola
Guests can relax in luxury tents on raised wooden platforms overlooking the fresh and saltwater ecosystem of River Longa at Camp Rio Longa. Famed for its elephant relocation project, this place is thriving with activity, from fishing and bird watching to its turtle conservation project. riolonga.com
Bwindi Lodge Uganda
Overlooking a forest that’s home to gorillas, monkeys and birds, this is the ultimate eco-lodge with eight stone and tile bandas, en-suite composting toilets, bush showers and solar power. It isn’t only popular with tourists – gorillas often enjoy sleeping close to the lodge too. volcanoessafaris.com
Silas Kpanan’Ayoung Siakor, 39, Liberia
Siakor disclosed how Liberia’s previous regime used logging profits to pay for the civil war With his reports on how Liberia’s previous regime used profits of illegal logging to pay for a civil war, Kpanan’Ayoung Siakor put his own life on the line – the death threats forced him into exile. When Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf took over the presidency in 2006, a protection order for 3.7 million acres of forest was issued. Siakor has been working with the government ever since, to create sustainable timber policies and give local forest communities a voice. For his efforts, he received the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2006. Miriam Mannak
Albert Mbonerane, 56, Burundi
Burundi’s former environment minister has made it his mission to ensure the people of Bujumbura can enjoy green spaces Albert Mbonerane is in the process of changing the landscape of Burundi. His achievements include the preservation of Lake Tanganyika and surrounding river banks, restoration through reforestation and the rehabilitation of green spaces in Bujumbura. It was under his direction that a new park was opened in the city in 2008.
When it comes to conserving the planet, Mbonerane is keen to point out “the Earth is talking to us – we should all listen, decode the message and respond rapidly”. Carmen Nibigira pouvons faire plus,” affirme-t-elle, avec son style direct, si caractéristique. “Je suis trop impatiente, je voudrais que la campagne réalise un score de deux milliards.” Victoria Averill
Silas Kpanan’Ayoung Siakor, 39 ans, Liberia