RESTORE in Timor-Leste: Mapping and Assessment to Support Mangrove Restoration
Between 24 March and 9 April 2025, the regional Kiwa RESTORE project, led by Conservation International, carried out a mapping campaign of mangrove areas combined with a socio-economic assessment across four coastal villages in timor-leste: Aidabaleten, Batugade, Sanirin and Ulmera, covering 12 sub-villages in the Bobonaro region.
Conducted in partnership with Konservasaun flora & fauna (KFF), the Alola foundation, and the Ministry of agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forestry (MALFF), the mission aimed to better understand the pressures placed on mangrove ecosystems by local livelihoods and to identify concrete opportunities for restoration.
In total, 115.32 hectares of mangroves were mapped in the villages of Beacou, Batugade, Be-Malae and Ulmera. Data were collected through direct field observations along the coastline and community consultations. The findings confirm that mangrove areas continue to be threatened by human activities and the impacts of climate change.
The success of this operation was made possible through the strong mobilisation of forestry technicians, forest guards, village and sub-village chiefs, and local communities, following a collaborative, shared governance approach.
