Sindi Muna

A Zambian environmental activist leading a grassroots movement to combat desertification through large-scale tree planting initiatives.

About Sindi Muna

Sindi Muna is a 29-year-old environmental advocate from Choma District in southern Zambia, best known for founding the Zambian Re-Greening Initiative in 2021. Her work focuses on reversing desertification patterns that have threatened agricultural productivity and water resources in the region. Through innovative agroforestry techniques and community mobilization, her organization has planted over 2.3 million trees since 2020, creating both ecological and economic benefits for rural communities.

Innovative Approaches

Muna's strategy combines traditional knowledge with modern permaculture principles, training local farmers to integrate drought-resistant tree species like Mopane and Acacia into crop systems. This approach not only restores degraded lands but also provides sustainable income through non-timber forest products like gum arabic and medicinal herbs. Her team has developed a mobile app (ZambiaTreeTrack) to monitor tree health and connect farmers with buyers for their forest products.

Global Impact

In 2023, Muna was invited to speak at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in New Delhi, where she presented a replicable model for community-led reforestation. Her work has inspired similar initiatives in Malawi and Mozambique, with international NGOs like Greenpeace Africa partnering to scale her methods across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Recent satellite imagery shows a 17% increase in vegetation cover in key project areas between 2020 and 2024.

Challenges & Recognition

Despite government support, Muna faces persistent challenges securing funding for irrigation infrastructure and combating illegal logging. Her advocacy led to Zambia's first community forest rights law passed in 2022, empowering local stewards to protect newly established woodlands. In 2024, she received the EarthX Green Hero Award, recognizing her contributions to climate resilience.