Peter Byrne

This accommodation provider has taken action to address one or more issues (whether environmental, social or cultural) which will contribute positively to the long term viability of the destination and hence their site displays a Caring for the destination rating.

Main area of focus in Caring for the Destination:  

The lodge supports various primary and secondary schools along with community programmes for villages. It maintains natural resources of the environment such as sea creatures and cultivation.

Detailed description of the Caring for the Destination Initiative: 

We support primary and secondary schools as well as other community programs with the Lion's Club; such as eyesight and dental programs, and donate various materials for educational purposes.

In Bweni, a village far north of Mafia, the village leaders have put into effect strict controls on the use of natural resources. Lobster harvesting with equipment is prohibited to evade over-fishing; drift, drag and moored fishing nets are prohibited because of their negative impacts. Rigorous policies are functional to tree and construction of houses, boats and canoes using poles. We maintain these inventiveness ideas by harmonizing activities that are requested by the village leaders.

We also have been requested to plant various seeds that are beneficial to the environment such as teak and casuarinas (to support the application of hardwood poles) and add value to the fishery refrigeration.

We are also working with Bweni and Kanga villagers, who live north of Mafia, to change their old habits of negative utilization of "slash and burn" by pioneering the use of permanent tree crops such as passion fruit, grapefruit, vanilla, tangerine, pumelo, oranges, mulberry, black pepper and cinnamon that are best suited for Mafia.

We also support Carbon Footprint, solar power for generating energy, reduction in power consumption, use of Bio-gas and compost for energy production, water consumption and Grey water recycling, tree planting programs (no more use of charcoal), waste management, pest and mosquito controls.