Kusini District
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TanzaniaKusini District
Wilaya ya Kusini (Swahili) | |
|---|---|
   From top to bottom: Spinner dolphins in Kizimkazi, historic Kizimkazi Mosque and Mtepe boat in Makunduchi | |
| Nickname: The dolphin coast | |
 Location in Unguja South | |
| Coordinates: 6°20′37.32″S 39°30′25.56″E / 6.3437000°S 39.5071000°E | |
| Country | Tanzania |
| Region | Unguja South Region |
| Capital | Makunduchi |
| Area | |
• Total | 379.5 km2 (146.5 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 2nd in Unguja South |
| Highest elevation (Kitongani ward) | 254 m (833 ft) |
| Population (2022) | |
• Total | 63,156 |
| • Rank | 2nd in Unguja South |
| • Density | 170/km2 (430/sq mi) |
| Demonym | South Zanzibari |
| Ethnic groups | |
| • Settler | Swahili |
| • Native | Hadimu |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
| Tanzanian Postcode | 721xx |
| Symbols of Tanzania | |
| Bird |  |
| Fish |  |
| Mammal | Zanzibar servaline genet |
Kusini District (Wilaya ya Kusini in Swahili) is one of two administrative districts of Unguja South Region of Tanzania.[1] The district has a water border to the east, south and west by the Indian Ocean. Kati District borders the district to the north. The district covers an area of 379.5 km2 (146.5 sq mi).[2] The district is comparable in size to the land area of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.[3] The administrative seat is the historic town of Makunduchi.The district is home to the oldest mosque in use in East Africa, the historic Kizimkazi Mosque, also a National Historic Site. The district is also frequently visited by Spinner dolphins, which is one of the biggest tourism attractions in the district. According to the 2022 census, the district has a total population of 63,156.[4]
The district covers a total area of 361.2 km2, of which 79% is coral and 21% is used for residential and agricultural purposes. As a result, the district's entire land area is divided among coral land, which covers 71.46 ha, arable land, which covers 8.2 ha, and Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, which covers the remaining areas.[5]
Economy
The biggest source of income for Kusini District is tourism followed by fishing. The projected number of fishermen in the Kusini district is 3,745 (3086 men and 659 women), including 2167 vessel fishers. There are 25 landing areas in the district. 16 fisheries cooperative associations have been established by the district in the area of fisheries cooperative associations. As of 2018, there are seven fish farming ponds (2 for cold water and 5 for salt water), and another nine are being built.[6]
Another significant economic activity in the district is seaweed farming, which employs 2800 people. However, seaweed production has decreased, from 643,333 kg in 2013 to 113,819 kg in 2017. Two centers for seaweed value addition have been established with the help of the district. Thirteen fisheries and sea weed Committees have been established by the Council in coordination with Shehia leadership to improve management of fishing operations. There are two methods used to store fish: using modern facilities and using conventional or native techniques (sun drying, salting, and smoking). However, the majority store their fish in the conventional manner.[7]
A total of 34,864 ha make up the district, of which 13,967 ha are designated as alternative use areas, 9693 ha as conservation areas, 1,0428 ha as utilization areas, and 776 ha as conservation reserves. There are 95 private forest nurseries and two government-owned nurseries. Participatory forest management has been used in the district to improve the management of natural resources. There are 14 village natural resource management committees that are operational. There are currently five village committees being established in Nganani, Kijini, Mzuri, Kiongoni, and Tasani.[8]
