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Mali: Restoration of flooded forests and reduction in hunting of migratory
waterbirds in the Inner Niger Delta
Problems
- In the Inner Niger Delta decreasing fishery resources forced
women groups to take up hunting of migratory waterbirds as a means
of earning additional income and for obtaining food for the family.
In 1999 over 62000 waterbirds were caught against 17000 in earlier
years (representing an economic value of 26800 Euro against 2900
Euro). The main species hunted are Garganey, Godwit and other waders.
In addition, the local Black-crowned Crane, an endangered species
was also hunted and eggs collected. The too high hunting pressure
has lead to disappearance or scarcity of some species in the area.
Conclusion: Not only fishermen but particularly also women are trapped
in a vicious circle of poverty and environmental degradation.
- Flooded forests have disappeared from the Inner Niger delta,
because of drought and human disturbance. The flooded forests are
important wetland areas, as they provide:
- Breeding habitat and nurseries for fish
- Roosting and breeding areas for many Afro-tropical waterbirds
(incl. herons and spoonbills)
- Sources of firewood and medicinal plants
The flooded forests are therefore known as the "banks of
the poor".
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| Waterbird hunting provided an unsustainable means to sustain
livelihoods in the Inner Niger Delta, Mali |
Approach
The approach to address these poverty-environment issues involved
consultation and cooperation with local women groups to identify
solutions. The Bio-rights approach was chosen, involving access
to micro-credits for agricultural and other economic developments
linked to community-based environmental management and biodiversity
conservation. The micro-credits were provided on basis of a contract,
in which the women groups could decide how to invest the funding,
whereas the condition was to reduce waterbird hunting and contribute
to the restoration of flooded forests which provide fish breeding
habitat as well as nesting sites for waterbird colonies. Women were
also employed as eco-guards to raise awareness on the need for sustainable
waterbird harvesting. The funding was invested in economic alternatives
such as: Poultry, goat farming, small business, and production of
vegetables. In addition investments were made in the improvement
of fisheries through habitat restoration (planting Acacia kirkii
trees in lost or degraded forests). This also involved establishment
of
management plans for the flooded forests by local committees to
ensure sustainable use of forest resources. A real win-win scheme!
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| Micro-credits enabled community-based action to restore
important fish breeding habitat (flooded forests) and to make investments
in vegetable gardening, goat and chicken farming |
As the funding was derived from donations of international donors,
these contracts could in effect be considered business contracts
between the global community and the local women groups. Wetlands
International's role was as facilitator, provision of expertise
in forest restoration and waterbird monitoring, as well as in raising
public awareness.
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