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Add to Preferred SourcesEstablishing natural protected areas can be an effective way of safeguarding biodiversity. AFD and the European Union are supporting such work in Chad, where NGOs are managing a complex of protected areas. With the IUCN World Conservation Congress getting underway in Marseille, it’s a chance to showcase a project that is emblematic of AFD’s work in environmental protection.
Human pressure on natural spaces often results in damage to ecosystems, a drop in wildlife populations, and a loss of vegetation cover, which is vital in the struggle to cope with climate change. One way to curb such threats to biodiversity is to create protected areas, which are recognized as effective tools of land management.
The Binder-Léré complex in southwest Chad is a veritable mosaic of savanna, forests, rivers, alluvial plains, and lakes that make this area one of the most diverse in the country. This 1,350 km² of wetlands are of international significance. They are home to iconic species, including elephants, manatees, hippopotamuses, Kordofan giraffes, leopards, and others. They also provide essential environmental services, such as pastureland and fishing resources.
The Chadian government has decided to strengthen the protected status of this national treasure by transforming the heart of the complex into a national park. It has delegated its management to the NGO Noé, which is specialized in this type of mission and works on similar issues in several African countries.
Delegating the management of protected areas to maximize the impact
To limit biodiversity degradation, it’s crucial to have a network of well-managed protected areas over the long term. However, these spaces cannot have a significant impact on biodiversity protection if they are not taken care of effectively. It’s part of an increasingly common model in which national authorities, donors, and NGOs forge partnerships where governments rely on non-governmental organizations to take on responsibility for managing protected areas.