Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action, and Local Empowerment
The Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action, and Local Empowerment is the driving force behind Mohéli’s commitment to protecting its natural heritage and ensuring that development today does not compromise the needs of future generations. Environment is at the heart of this ministry: it manages Mohéli’s protected areas, most notably the Mohéli National Park (formerly Mohéli Marine Park), which was established in 2001 as the first protected area in Comoros . This park includes marine, coastal, and forest ecosystems, and the ministry works alongside park rangers and local communities to conserve biodiversity – from marine turtles and coelacanths in the ocean to livingstone bats and rare birds on land. The ministry’s initiatives have earned Mohéli international recognition, such as being designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in recent years, highlighting the success of community-based conservation .
In terms of Climate Action, the ministry leads Mohéli’s adaptation and mitigation strategies in response to climate change. The island, like other low-lying territories, is vulnerable to climate impacts such as rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and changing weather patterns. The ministry develops local climate adaptation plans – for instance, constructing seawalls or restoring mangroves to protect shorelines, promoting water conservation techniques to combat drought spells, and helping farmers adopt climate-resilient crops. It also engages in environmental education, teaching communities about the importance of conservation and climate resilience. Mitigation efforts might include pursuing renewable energy projects (in collaboration with the Infrastructure/Energy ministry) – solar power installations are a key area, as Comoros has begun implementing solar plants on each island (Mohéli is slated for a 1 MW solar plant with battery storage to reduce reliance on diesel generators ). The environment ministry supports these projects by facilitating environmental impact assessments and ensuring they meet sustainability goals.
Sustainable Development and Local Empowerment tie the environment to the people. The ministry ensures that local communities are partners and beneficiaries of sustainability initiatives. A hallmark approach in Mohéli has been involving village associations in ecotourism (like community eco-guards for turtle nesting sites) and sharing revenue from parks with them. The “Local Empowerment” aspect means decentralizing environmental stewardship and small development projects to the village level. For example, the ministry might fund community-led projects such as reforestation of hillsides with fruit trees (which prevent erosion and provide food/income), or training programs for youth in sustainable fishing and farming. It could also run a Green Grant program where local NGOs or village groups can apply for small grants to, say, install rainwater harvesting tanks or pilot organic farming techniques.
Additionally, the ministry monitors environmental compliance of businesses – making sure that any development (a new hotel, road, or factory) undergoes an environmental review and adheres to regulations that protect ecosystems and public health. It coordinates with national agencies to enforce laws against illegal fishing (like dynamite fishing or use of illegal nets) and against wildlife poaching or habitat destruction. Waste management initiatives such as recycling or proper garbage disposal also feature, often in partnership with the Infrastructure ministry for execution.
Through advocacy and policy, this ministry has helped integrate sustainability into Mohéli’s broader development plans. The concept of “Local Empowerment” also suggests efforts to strengthen local governance and community decision-making – possibly training local council members in development planning or supporting traditional leaders in dispute resolution related to resource use.
