BRAO forest programme

IUCN has been present in the West African forestry sector since the end of 1970's. Certain projects for integrated management of natural resources have played an important role in what is mainly dry (Sahelian and Sudanian zone) forests, like "Gaya" in Niger, "Gestion Participative des Ressources Naturelles et de la Faune" in Burkina Faso and "Ferlo" in Senegal. A genuine forest project, "Projet de Conservation des Forêts de Cantanhez", has been carried out in Guinea-Bissau. "Construction Sans Bois" in Niger is an example of the more recent endeavour. The latest project in relation to the West African forests "Wildlife Division Support Project "started in the beginning of April 2002 in Ghana.

Recently, BRAO has started to develop a regional Forest Program for West Africa. The work will combine the features of the IUCN's Global Forest Program with the special characteristics of forestry in West Africa. For further information, contact Virpi Lahtela