United Nations Earth Summit+5 Success Stories - Sand Dune Stabilization on the Northern Coast of Senegal

EARTH SUMMIT+5
Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise
the Implementation of Agenda 21
New York, 23-27 June 1997
SUCCESS STORIES FROM SENEGAL

Sand Dune Stabilization on the Northern Coast of Senegal

Location Northern Coast (Grande Côte) of Senegal.

Responsible organization A number of National and International Organizations were involved in a sufficiently long time frame to produce sizeable results, namely Direction des Eaux, Forêts, Chasses Et Conservation des Sols in Senegal (DEFCCS), FAO/UNDP as originator since 1974 of the Programme, Canadian International Development Agency, USAID, ORSTOM-France.

Description The Northern Coast of Senegal has important deposits of sand which have been adverserly affected by geological and climatic processes. These sand deposits have been covered, in part, by coastal sands carried on by marine winds. Felling and trampling by animals have reduced tree shrubs and grass on the coast increasing sand dunes that threaten human settlements and the lowlands known as the "Niayes" ( green rich spots with high water table allowing highly valuable income generating agricultural activities). It was necessary to stabilize the dunes and secure sustained practices of vegetable gardening and fruit tree cultivation that maintain, in association with fishery activities, the prosperity of local populations. A series of initiatives and projects were agreed upon and implemented since 1974, starting by a pioneering methodology and training project supported by FAO and the UNDP and followed by other donors and cooperating agencies as mentioned above. Activities included (i) mechanical and biological sand stabilization techniques; (ii) support to vegetable gardening and conservation of the resource base; (iii) management of plantations implemented; (iv) exploration of potential for development of tourism, taking advantage of the improvement brought about by activities mentioned above.

Issues addressed Husbandry and restoration of the resource base; technology development and capacity building; integration of restorative and development activities; integration and village land development; management for sustained development and tourism development; sustainable coastal area development.

Objectives To secure sustainable development of communities of coastal areas along the Northern Coast of Senegal and conservation of the resources base through sand dune stabilization and other restorative plantation activities; to promote integrated development of the human and natural potential of this interesting region on the basis of vegetable gardening and fruit tree cultivation, fishery activities, development of the potential for tourism.

Results achieved Stabilization of a series of sand dune formations over 180 kilometres corresponding to more than 4,000 ha of plantation of Casuarina equisetifolia; conservation of rich agricultural lands for vegetable gardening and fruit tree production; development of an important forest resource which, sustainably managed, could contribute to a number of urban population needs such as fuelwood, timber and areas for recreational activities.

Lessons learned National involvement and donors' support are two essential elements. Interactions between development activities and applied research is also important. Continuity and progressive sophistication of activities leading to study and proposal of management options for the established plantations. Training a critical mass of experts and technicians in the many aspects of desertification control and integrated development of dry lands.

Financing The funding, starting from a first trial period from national funds, was relayed more systematically by UNDP/FAO and was then continued through contemporary or successive funding initiatives from CIDA-CANADA, USAID, NORAD and ORSTOM for applied research.

Contact Mr. Abdoulaye Kane, Director of Forests, BP 1831 Dakar Fax: 221-320426
Mr. Pape NDiaye Projet d'Aménagement des Ecosystèmes du Littoral, Thies Senegal c/o above.
Mr. El-Hadji Sène, Forest Resources Division, FAO, Rome - Tel (39 6) 52255978- E-Mail Elhadji.Sene @FAO.org

Copyright © United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
1 November 1997

	Sand Dune Stabilization on the Northern Coast of Senegal
	Location	Northern Coast (Grande Côte) of Senegal.
	Responsible organization	A number of National and International Organizations were involved in a sufficiently long time frame to produce sizeable results, namely Direction des Eaux, Forêts, Chasses Et Conservation des Sols in Senegal (DEFCCS), FAO/UNDP as originator since 1974 of the Programme, Canadian International Development Agency, USAID, ORSTOM-France.
	Description	The Northern Coast of Senegal has important deposits of sand which have been adverserly affected by geological and climatic processes. These sand deposits have been covered, in part, by coastal sands carried on by marine winds. Felling and trampling by animals have reduced tree shrubs and grass on the coast increasing sand dunes that threaten human settlements and the lowlands known as the "Niayes" ( green rich spots with high water table allowing highly valuable income generating agricultural activities). It was necessary to stabilize the dunes and secure sustained practices of vegetable gardening and fruit tree cultivation that maintain, in association with fishery activities, the prosperity of local populations. A series of initiatives and projects were agreed upon and implemented since 1974, starting by a pioneering methodology and training project supported by FAO and the UNDP and followed by other donors and cooperating agencies as mentioned above. Activities included (i) mechanical and biological sand stabilization techniques; (ii) support to vegetable gardening and conservation of the resource base; (iii) management of plantations implemented; (iv) exploration of potential for development of tourism, taking advantage of the improvement brought about by activities mentioned above.
	Issues addressed	Husbandry and restoration of the resource base; technology development and capacity building; integration of restorative and development activities; integration and village land development; management for sustained development and tourism development; sustainable coastal area development.
	Objectives	To secure sustainable development of communities of coastal areas along the Northern Coast of Senegal and conservation of the resources base through sand dune stabilization and other restorative plantation activities; to promote integrated development of the human and natural potential of this interesting region on the basis of vegetable gardening and fruit tree cultivation, fishery activities, development of the potential for tourism.
	Results achieved	Stabilization of a series of sand dune formations over 180 kilometres corresponding to more than 4,000 ha of plantation of Casuarina equisetifolia; conservation of rich agricultural lands for vegetable gardening and fruit tree production; development of an important forest resource which, sustainably managed, could contribute to a number of urban population needs such as fuelwood, timber and areas for recreational activities.
	Lessons learned	National involvement and donors' support are two essential elements. Interactions between development activities and applied research is also important. Continuity and progressive sophistication of activities leading to study and proposal of management options for the established plantations. Training a critical mass of experts and technicians in the many aspects of desertification control and integrated development of dry lands.
	Financing	The funding, starting from a first trial period from national funds, was relayed more systematically by UNDP/FAO and was then continued through contemporary or successive funding initiatives from CIDA-CANADA, USAID, NORAD and ORSTOM for applied research.
	Contact	Mr. Abdoulaye Kane, Director of Forests, BP 1831 Dakar Fax: 221-320426 Mr. Pape NDiaye Projet d'Aménagement des Ecosystèmes du Littoral, Thies Senegal c/o above. Mr. El-Hadji Sène, Forest Resources Division, FAO, Rome - Tel (39 6) 52255978- E-Mail Elhadji.Sene @FAO.org