Group photo M. Abou BAMABA with ZAGLOE association of NIEGA
Rabé Florent
In Niega, in the Sassandra department, the mangrove is far more than a landscape. It is a source of life, a natural heritage, and the foundation of many families’ livelihoods. As a true refuge for fish and other aquatic species, it protects riverbanks and helps combat climate change. For generations, local communities have cared for it. Yet, population growth, poverty, and the need for income have gradually increased pressure on this fragile ecosystem.
“We have been protecting our mangroves for a very long time. But today, the youth population is growing, and without sources of income, young people are forced to destroy them,”
explains Mr. GNINAMOTO Bayoro Philippe, advisor to the village chief of Niega.
To ensure the long-term preservation of the mangrove, communities have realized that new sources of income must also be provided for local populations. This is the approach adopted by the SSATMARC-FOLAB project, which supports the villages of Niega, Niani, Dabéda, and Cocoplage.
During the National Environment and Climate Fortnight, the Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition, Mr. Abou BAMBA, provided several pieces of equipment to community organizations. These included a tricycle, a cassava grinder, and other cassava processing tools. This equipment will strengthen women’s economic activities while reducing pressure on the mangrove.
“This support is very welcome for the village of Niega. When our small machines break down, we are forced to go to neighboring villages to grind our cassava. With this equipment, we will be able to buy cassava from remote settlements, transport it more easily, and produce more attiéké,”
says Kokora Marie France, Communication Officer of the ZAGLOE Association of Niega.
Cassava processing has become one of the main economic activities for women. Improving production capacity will not only increase household incomes but also provide a real alternative to cutting mangrove wood.
Mrs. AYE Dlolou Marie Jeanne, President of the women’s group within the association, highlights the opportunities created by this support:
“The association will establish new cassava fields and also purchase cassava from producers to produce more attiéké. The equipment we have received will help improve women’s incomes.”
She also sends a message to neighboring communities:
“I urge our brothers and sisters not to destroy the mangrove. This forest is where fish reproduce. If we destroy it, we are also destroying our future.”
Mrs. LEGRE Yolande, a member of the association, shares the same enthusiasm:
“Thanks to this equipment, we will be able to transport cassava more easily to the village and work under better conditions.”
Rabé Florent
This momentum builds on a long-standing community commitment. According to Mr. MONNI Lucien, President of the Association, the first awareness campaigns against mangrove destruction date back to the early 2000s.
“The mangrove was the last major forest area around our lagoon. We raised awareness among local populations to reduce wood cutting. But when this activity generated up to 120,000 CFA francs per truck, it became essential to offer other economic opportunities to young people.”
With FOLAB’s support, several actions have been implemented, including identifying the most threatened areas, raising community awareness about biodiversity conservation, and supporting women in developing income-generating activities.
One of the most significant initiatives of the association is the creation of a Green Brigade. This community team raises awareness among young people and plantation owners near mangrove areas to prevent destruction and promote sustainable management of natural resources.
For Kokora Marie France, the experience of their village proves that economic development and environmental protection can go hand in hand:
“We can live without destroying nature. In Niega, we grow cassava, we produce attiéké, and we support our families. The mangrove protects fish and wildlife. If we destroy it, we also destroy the resources on which our community depends.”
During his visit, Minister Abou Bamba praised these achievements:
“We are pleased to see that mangrove ecosystems are gradually recovering. They are essential breeding areas for fish and play a major role in the fight against climate change. Protecting these ecosystems means investing in the economic and environmental future of our country.”
In Niega, the mangrove is no longer just a heritage to be protected. It has become a source of development and hope for the entire community. Thanks to the commitment of local residents and the support of the SSATMARC-FOLAB project, the village demonstrates that it is possible to preserve nature while sustainably improving people’s living conditions.
About the Project
The SSATMARC-FOLAB project is co-financed by the Government of Côte d'Ivoire and the GEF. Its implementing agency is UNEP. The main objective of this project is to ensure the scaling up and sustainability of financing mechanisms for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) at the national level, in order to combat deforestation and forest degradation and support effective management of protected areas. The long-term objective of the project is to deliver global environmental benefits. It will also contribute to improving the livelihoods of communities dependent on these ecosystems. The project has three interdependent components. Component 1 aims to promote institutional, policy and legal strengthening of the rural land tenure system in support of Payments for Environmental Services (PES) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) initiatives. Component 2 will establish a financial mechanism to support PES and REDD+ through the creation of a revolving fund. Actions to restore and protect the mangrove ecosystem will be developed. Component 3 will support the sustainable management of the least protected protected areas and surrounding ecosystems. Ecotourism activities will also be developed in collaboration with local communities. The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, through the Secretariat of the National Commission for Sustainable Development.
Words by RABE Gnapi Florent
Thumbnail by Adam Moore, Kogia