Tonga Targets 200,000 Mangroves Across Tongatapu and Vava'u in UNDP-Backed Community Initiative

A major mangrove restoration initiative in Tonga is targeting the planting of 200,000 mangroves across Tongatapu and Vava'u islands to protect coastal livelihoods and build resilience for vulnerable communities, as reported on May 5, 2026. The Coastal Green Nursery, a private nursery dedicated to propagating native mangrove species, is leading the work with support from the Ridge to Reef (R2R) Community Grants Initiative, funded by UNDP with USD 570,000 in grants. The initiative engages 20 schools and 10 communities, focusing on areas most exposed to storm surge and sea-level rise — particularly the Fanga'uta and Vaipua lagoon systems on Tongatapu. The project emphasizes environmental education, teaching children the importance of mangroves using the native species Rhizophora stylosa, known locally as 'tongo lei.' As a low-lying Pacific island nation highly vulnerable to tropical cyclones and sea-level rise, Tonga relies on mangroves as a primary coastal protection strategy.