The Human Dimension in Natural Resource Conservation: A Sahelian Example from Niger

Abstract

The Republic of Niger is establishing a vast national nature reserve in the Aïr Massif and Ténéré Desert. With its 77,360 km2, the reserve will cover a wide variety of arid-land habitats. Both rainfall and vegetation are sparse, but the area harbours a varied fauna that includes a number of threatened species. The Twareg inhabitants of the reserve subsist by raising livestock, by irrigating small gardens, and by caravanning. Their day-to-day existence relies heavily on natural resources, and their continued existence will depend on the conservation of those resources. Drought, desertification, and abusive use, are all responsible for the deterioration of those resources.Although highly necessary, the rational management of the area's natural resources will conflict with current landuse practices. Examples of where this happens are presented, and some proposals are put forward for their solution. Ideally, a flexible management system needs to be elaborated that will satisfy both the aspirations of the zone's managers and the immediate needs of its residents. The Authors hope that work in Niger will find its application elsewhere in the Sahel, and meanwhile emphasize the need to reconcile conservation with development.

Nesting trees used by a pest bird (Village Weaver, Ploceus cucullatus): a large field survey suggests further human conflicts with local stakeholders in Southern Nigeria

“…Chemical repellent and other approaches to control populations, yet used for these and other pests (e.g., Martin, 1976), should be avoided. Finally, human dimension approaches involving stakeholders are further suggested (for Africa, see, e.g., Newby and Grettenberger, 1986).…”

Desertification Assessment Using MEDALUS Model in Watershed Oued El Maleh, Morocco

“…Human societies are developed at the expense of natural resources [1]. However, the non-rational use of these resources leads to their degradation, reaching unrecoverable levels.…”

Parks for people—a case study from the Aïr Mountains of Niger

“…Since 1979, the biology of the Air has come under the close scrutiny of both WWF (The World Wide Fund for Nature) and IUCN (The World Conservation Union). Attracted by the area's relatively unspoilt nature, and more specifically by the need to protect some of the last remaining populations of addax Addax nasomaculatus, ostrich Struthio camelus and dama gazelle Gazella dama in West Africa, scientists have added considerably to knowledge on this unique area's fauna and flora (Newby and Jones, 1980;Dulieu, 1981;Grettenberger et al, 1984;Monson, 1985;Newby and Grettenberger, 1986;J. Watkins, 1986;L.…”