1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
Many factors threaten the existence of mangrove forests in Angola: deforestation for fish smoking, urbanisation, urban infrastructural development, quarrying, salt and sand extraction; pollution from industries, agro-industrial chemicals, petroleum and gas exploitation; absence of appropriate legislation; and the proliferation of invasive species including the climate change effects accentuated by population growth. Over the years the government of Angola initiated various biodiversity conservation policies, but there is still inadequate provision for mangrove forests conservation. Civil society took the matter into their own hands and as such the following project aims to address issues such as:
1. To launch a massive cleaning campaign for many months in order to safeguard migratory birds that have not been seen in Luanda for years, because their habitat was clogged, what was left of its habitat was very polluted with garbage and combustible oils
2. To conserve the mangrove forests which are extremely productive ecosystems that provide numerous goods and services both to the marine environment and people
3. To address resilience to mitigate climate change effects. In recent years, frequent impacts of sea surges, inundations and natural disasters recorded in the coastal areas are evidence of increased vulnerability largely attributed to human pressures.
4. To prevent shoreline erosion and regulate coastal water quality (2,6)
1. To launch a massive cleaning campaign for many months in order to safeguard migratory birds that have not been seen in Luanda for years, because their habitat was clogged, what was left of its habitat was very polluted with garbage and combustible oils
2. To conserve the mangrove forests which are extremely productive ecosystems that provide numerous goods and services both to the marine environment and people
3. To address resilience to mitigate climate change effects. In recent years, frequent impacts of sea surges, inundations and natural disasters recorded in the coastal areas are evidence of increased vulnerability largely attributed to human pressures.
4. To prevent shoreline erosion and regulate coastal water quality (2,6)
Quantitative targets
Reforesting an area of 58,671 m2, south of Luanda;
Impacting the life of approx. 8000 people directly and 2.5 mil. people indirectly ;
Since 2019 targeting a no of cities and settlements on the Angolan seacoast including: Luanda, Belas, Benguela and Zaire ;
Aiming to plant over 2 mil. mangrove trees (1, 2,3, 4).
Impacting the life of approx. 8000 people directly and 2.5 mil. people indirectly ;
Since 2019 targeting a no of cities and settlements on the Angolan seacoast including: Luanda, Belas, Benguela and Zaire ;
Aiming to plant over 2 mil. mangrove trees (1, 2,3, 4).
Monitoring indicators defined
Size area considered for planting
Number of people benefiting from the action
Number of cities and communities targeted
Number of trees to be planted (1,2,3,4)
Number of people benefiting from the action
Number of cities and communities targeted
Number of trees to be planted (1,2,3,4)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change mitigation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change mitigation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Implementation activities
The NGO Otchiva was established in 2019 by volunteers interested in protecting the coastlines of Angola. Over time, the project raised support not only from Angolan authorities but also from local volunteers - in the first year more than 500 people, from all walks of life, joined the project. The planting stages usually happens throughout the year and it is not conditioned of anything except funding. In 2021, Otchiva partnered with the Blue Carbon project. The Blue Carbon Initiative focuses on mangroves, salt marshes and seagrasses, which are found on every continent except Antarctica. The Blue Carbon Initiative works to protect and restore coastal ecosystems for their role in reducing the impacts of global climate change. (1,4,5)
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Angola, Mexico and Brazil lead the process of reforestation of mangroves with the largest number of hectares filled.(7)
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The action was repeated in Cabinda, Zaire, Bengo, Cuanza Sul and Benguela.(1) Since its foundation, the Otchiva project has developed actions in the provinces of Luanda, Benguela and Zaire (Soyo). Extending these actions to Cabinda, Cuanza-Sul and Bengo is the organization's next goal. (7)
