Project

Project

Séances de sensibilisation.JPG
Start Date
2017 Jun 01
End Date
2017 Jul 03

Summary of activities carried out as part of the implementation of the project to raise awareness about the fight against deforestation and pollution around Pendjari Park in Benin


In most of the villages bordering the Pendjari National Park, anthropogenic pressure on natural resources is becoming more and more pronounced and noticeable. It is observed nowadays in the Controlled Occupation Zone (ZOC), the use of pesticides with itinerant slash-and-burn agriculture, leading to the non-respect of the boundaries of the Park, the large-scale harvesting of wood not for local consumption, but rather to satisfy the wood needs (lumber, fuel wood and service wood) of cities such as Tanguiéta and Natitingou... This observation risks compromising ecological integrity of this protected area which is a heritage of humanity. Some animal and plant species are threatened with extinction because their natural habitat is destroyed due to deforestation and environmental pollution by certain chemical products used by populations. It is all the more important to work as urgently as possible in the hunting areas of the park, a nature reserve, to limit or even eradicate any action of deforestation and pollution. To remedy this, the present project proposes actions to raise awareness among local populations about the Reserve in support of those conducted by the Pendjari National Park Directorate (DPNP). Thus, the populations living near the Park benefited from awareness-raising sessions on the harmful effects of deforestation and on the measures to be taken. Also, the schools and hospitals in the project intervention area have been made aware of the conservation of biodiversity and the maintenance of a healthy environment. On June 1, 2017, the actors of the project targeted the Tanongou General Education College to celebrate the 33rd National Tree Day under the theme: “Tree, Energy and Green Economy”. The Tanongou CEG was selected for this event for the following reasons: (i) the students of this school were sufficiently aware of the harmful effects of deforestation and on good practices for plant production, reforestation and plantation maintenance; (ii) the school has water to make up for the long dry periods recorded each year; (iii) the existence in Tanongou of an uncontrolled market for firewood fire and charcoal; (iv) The population of Tanongou is exerting strong pressure on the woodlands justified by the development of carbonization and fuelwood production activity and the pockets of deforestation recorded in this village. Thus, for this national celebration of the tree, two hundred (200) plants of indigenous species (Afzelia africana) were planted on the limits of the Tanongou CEG. In addition to CEIBAONG and DPNP officials, this celebration brought together local elected officials (First Deputy Mayor of Tanguiéta, the District Head of Tanongou and the Village Chief of Tanongou), parents of students, parents of students, middle school teachers and students. All were again informed about the importance of the tree and were invited to work for private reforestation actions at the level of their respective locality. The population, having very welcomed the action, promised to maintain the plants planted today and to contribute to the success of the National Reforestation Campaign which has just been launched so that in the end, several tree plantations are installed in Tanongou. As a result of the actions, on Friday June 2, 2017, CEIBA-ONG donated trash cans to hospitals in the town of Tanguiéta in order to contribute to the proper management of medical waste in these hospitals. This initiative aims to reduce the consequences of the poor management of medical waste on human life. This official garbage disposal ceremony took place in the courtyard of the Pendjari National Park Directorate (DPNP). It brought together the Mayor of the town of Tanguiéta, the officials of CEIBA-ONG and CENAGREF as well as the recipients. A total of X trash cans were distributed to Y hospitals in Tanguiéta. On this occasion, the Mayor expressed his best feelings and his gratitude to the NGO and invited the hospitals to make good use of the materials made available. Awareness-raising plaques on the harmful effects of deforestation and the benefits of the tree, made for this purpose, were installed from 1 to 3 June 2017, in the town of Tanguiéta on the most indicated axes. The registered awareness-raising messages convey good practices in the fight against deforestation and are written in fluent French and then translated into the local languages of the villages where they are located. Finally, the special visit to the Pendjari National Park by the best students in the competition was made on Saturday, June 3, 2017. Note that this visit to the park is the result of certain activities undertaken beforehand in the schools and colleges bordering the Park. Students from elementary schools and general education colleges bordering the park had benefited during the past months from awareness sessions in their respective schools. Each class of the sensitized schools received a set of posters on deforestation and pollution. These awareness-raising sessions targeted 15 schools (5 secondary schools and 10 primary schools) around Pendjari Park. To assess the level of assimilation of the numerous awareness-raising messages in these schools, students were subjected to a series of 20 questions during the same period. Following this text, the thirty best students were selected with representatives from each school. They enjoyed a free visit to the Park. The total number of students led in the park by the managers of CEIBA-ONG and the DPNP is 45 including the winning students of the competition and their supervisors. Statistics show 92% of participants visiting the Park for the first time. During this visit, the following animals were observed: elephants, buffaloes, Buffon's cobes, ourebis, cobes defassa, hippotragues, buzzards, baboons, baboons, baboons, crocodiles, hippopotamuses and many birds. It was a general satisfaction for the students.

Séances de sensibilisation.JPG
Start Date
2017 Jun 01
End Date
2017 Jul 03

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