Chumbe Island Coral Park, Zanzibar/Tanzania

Private not-for-profit conservation project protecting pristine Chumbe Island. Coral reef sanctuary, forest reserve, nature trails, ecolodge and visitors' centre. Ecotourism finances conservation management and environmental education for local schoolchildren. The Chumbe Reef Sanctuary, probably the first private marine park in the world, has 90% of all recorded coral species in the region and ca. 400 species of fish. The forest harbours rare and endangered species, the Coconut crab (Birgus latro) and the endemic Aders' duikers (Cephalophus adersi). All buildings are based on zero-pollution eco-technology, with rainwater catchment, solar water heating and lights, compost toilets and vegetative grey-water filtration.