Mohéli National Park, Marine protected area in Mohéli, Comoros.
Mohéli National Park covers marine, coastal and terrestrial areas of Mohéli Island in the Comoros, including a fringing reef enclosing a lagoon 10 to 60 metres deep, eight small islets, 91 hectares of mangroves and the open ocean to a depth of 100 metres. Its land section, added in 2015, reaches Mont Mlédjélé at 790 metres and holds a forest of the endemic trees Pterophylla comorensis and Khaya madagascariensis.
The park received official status in 2001 following consultations during the 1990s with local villages and international organizations. This collaboration formed the basis for a protected area that brings together local and global conservation interests.
Ten villages in southern Mohéli began advocating for a marine park in 1995, and fishers, young leaders and women took part in meetings that shaped its management. A 16-member management committee formed in 2002, with 10 representatives from village communities. Residents serve as "ecoguards" responsible for awareness and surveillance, trained with support from UNDP, UNEP and IUCN.
The park is best explored through guided boat tours arranged by local agencies that focus on observing marine animals. Visitors should plan ahead depending on the season, as conditions vary throughout the year and some times are better for different types of sightings.
The waters here serve as nesting grounds for sea turtles and support a wide array of plant and animal species. This role in turtle reproduction makes the park an important place for protecting this vulnerable species.
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