Comoros
From Volcano to Vitality: Eco-Tourism Flourishes on Mount Karthala
By Leïla Salim Abdallah MITSOUDJÉ, COMOROS — At dawn, a hush blankets the humid forest nestled along the slopes of Mount Karthala. As first light creeps through emerald foliage, small groups of hikers—local and...
Spice of Peace: How Comoros’ Vanilla and Ylang‑Ylang Are Powering Local Economies
By Salima Abdou Nourdine MORONI, COMOROS — Amid the fragrant groves of Anjouan and Mohéli, golden flowers and vanilla vines flourish beneath the tropical sun. These humble crops—ylang‑ylang for perfume and vanilla for flavor—are...
Spice of Peace: How Comoros’ Vanilla and Ylang‑Ylang Are Powering Local Economies
By Salima Abdou Nourdine MORONI, COMOROS — Amid the fragrant groves of Anjouan and Mohéli, golden flowers and vanilla vines flourish beneath the tropical sun. These humble crops—ylang‑ylang for perfume and vanilla for flavor—are no longer just crops. They are emblematic of a nation forging prosperity from its soil, fueling both economic revival and social cohesion. “When a woman distills ylang‑ylang at dawn, she is preserving centuries of heritage and enabling her children’s schooling,” reflects Hajja Saïdou, a cooperative leader in Anjouan. The Scented Powerhouse Comoros is the world’s leading producer of ylang‑ylang essential oil, contributing roughly 60 percent of global supply. Alongside these fragrant blooms, vanilla vines climb the volcanic slopes—enriching aroma and...
Saving the Coelacanth: Comoros Protects One of the World’s Rarest Fish
By Fatima Mze Abdallah MORONI, COMOROS — In the deep, volcanic caverns off Grande Comore’s southwestern coast, a living relic glides silently through twilight...
Preserving Paradise: Local Heroes Protecting the Coral Reefs of Comoros
By Mariam Salema Aboudou MOHÉLI, COMOROS — Along the sunlit shores of Mohéli, fishermen meticulously...
Preserving Paradise: Local Heroes Protecting the Coral Reefs of Comoros
By Mariam Salema Aboudou MOHÉLI, COMOROS — Along the sunlit shores of Mohéli, fishermen meticulously shift wooden stakes through shallow reefs, marking the beginning of another day’s stewardship. Here in this island corner of...
Seeds of Sustainability: Organic Farming Takes Root in Comorian Villages
By Saïdou Ahamada Mtsapwé DIMANI, COMOROS — At sunrise, small plots on the volcanic slopes of Ngazidja glow with promise....
