Misali Island
Misali Island : “Visit Misali Island, famous for its coral reefs and stunning nature” . Some of East Africa’s most breathtaking coral reefs can be found on Misali Island. On this protected island, turtles may also be seen nesting, depending on the time of the year. On Misali Island tour, you’ll get to spend a full day on Misali Island and explore its incredible natural surroundings. You’ll also get to snorkel around the nearby coral reefs, see green and hawksbill turtles in their natural habitats, and follow vervet monkeys, coconut crabs, and other animals as they go about their daily lives.
MISALI ISLAND OVERVIEW
Treasure in the Indian Ocean, The tropical paradise of Misali Island, which has strong Islamic roots, is where the sea breezes keep the sweltering heat at bay. Just 10 kilometers separate Misali Island from Pemba, the northernmost island of Zanzibar, in the lagoon that connects Zanzibar to Tanzania’s main landmass. Due to a lack of freshwater, the island has been abandoned, but the Pemba people have historically set up temporary camps to fish its waters. In recent years, Misali’s thriving reef ecosystem and immaculate shorelines have drawn the attention of divers, beachgoers, and snorkelers alike.
Misali Island’s Pemba waters are home to more than 350 different species of fish and 40 different genera of complex coral, including some of Tanzania’s most beautiful coral cover. The island is also home to many native species, including the Pemba flying fox, Pemba vervet monkey, Pemba white-eye, and Pemba sunbird, and endangered species like the coconut crab and sea turtle that lay their eggs on the island’s beaches.
The unique natural resources and biodiversity of Misali Island have recently come under threat. The use of destructive fishing techniques, such as poison, dynamite, and fine-mesh nets, has thwarted efforts to replenish fish populations and the vulnerable reef ecosystems that support them. In 1998, the government launched a preservation program, but the usage of resources was little affected or unaffected by the customary rules.
Natural resources on Misali Island have been preserved thanks to funding from the MacArthur Foundation and the non-governmental organization (NGO) CARE International-Tanzania. The initiative is a win-win situation for everyone involved, thanks to the keen Islamists in the area’s conformity and the advantages of tourism.
The Zanzibar Islands have been an important trade center in the Indian Ocean for a long time. The Misali Islands’ people, food, and beliefs have developed a distinctive fusion as a result of the long history of cultural exchange between the islands. Chinese, Indonesian, and Malay civilizations are just a few of the many civilizations that have inhabited Zanzibar; however, the cultural legacies of the Persian and Arab empires have persisted. The 10th century saw the arrival of Muslims from Arabia, and by the 11th century, the religion had spread. Misali Island, like Zanzibar, has a long history of fusing Islamic and African cultures. The Swahili word for the island, “Msala,” is prayer mats.
Ancestor healing and divination are just two of the many services offered on Misali Island, which has long been a hub of spirituality. It is rumored that the area’s famous caves are teeming with divine spirits that can be called upon for protection and efficient catch rates in exchange for offerings. Offerings at cave entrances demonstrate that the elderly still hold to these cherished traditions.
Because of the natives’ spiritual affinity for Islam, fishermen were chosen to safeguard the island’s natural resources and enhance the standard of living for their families, an effort recognized by CARE. The Misali Island Ethics Project, which promotes Islamic conservation ethics, was first introduced by CARE in Tanzania. Local government representatives, madrassa school teachers, and religious authorities are assisted by a number of resources in promoting Islamic conservation.
Experts claim that the initiative is based on Qur’anic verses that are interpreted as conservation laws as well as fundamental Islamic ideas like unity (tawheed), responsibility, and caring for the environment. Since nearly everyone in Zanzibar is Muslim, CARE’s Islamic-based strategy has proven to be far more successful than rules that are imposed externally. As Fisher once told the BBC, “Ignoring the government is easy, but no one can break God’s law.”
To further improve the income and food security of fishing villages in Pemba, Tanzania, CARE is training fishermen to work as guides to Misali Island, streamlining the management of tourism-related revenues, implementing a savings and credit scheme, developing a community management system for fishing groups, and teaching sustainable fishing techniques. Ecotourism can encourage responsible resource management while giving fishermen on Misali Island a new source of income.
In the deteriorating environment of today, conservation is crucial. Since the intensity of acceptance is spiraling, sustained change necessitates ongoing participation and sensitivity to the local communities where conservation is being practiced. Applying Islamic ethical principles to conservation decisions can help preserve the Misali Island ecosystem and the welfare of all people.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT ON MISALI ISLAND TOUR
This is a full-day trip to Misali Island for snorkeling. You will be driven to the Wesha Seaport by your tour guide. It takes an hour to travel by boat from Wesha seaport to Misali Island. Misali is distinguished as a marine conservation area by its distinctive marine and terrestrial ecosystems and astounding species diversity.
Forty genera of hard corals and about 350 species of fish have been identified. The 1 km2 of terrestrial area supports critically endangered nesting turtles, and populations of green monkeys, the critically endangered and endemic Pemba flying fox, critically endangered coconut crabs, and various bird species can be found in the dense coastal thickets. 11,400 people receive direct financial assistance from Misali through the fishing industry.
Misali is regarded as one of the world’s top diving destinations, if not the top one in East Africa. The local treasure of the infamous Captain Kidd is still thought to be hidden somewhere nearby, and it was once considered a safe haven for pirates in bygone times. The island is surrounded by stunning and substantial coral reefs, which are home to a wide variety of fish and other marine life. Keep in mind that landing fees are required on Misali, which has been designated a Marine Conservation Area.
