Promoting forest governance
Supporting communities in Mali's Segou region to use and protect their local forests.Why is this project needed?
Over the last three decades, nearly two million hectares of forest have been lost from Mali, mostly to make space for farmland — this is known as deforestation. The Ségou region of Mali has been hit particularly hard by deforestation and the effects of the climate crisis.
With rainfall becoming more unpredictable, and soil losing its fertility, people are struggling to grow trees and crops — something which they depend on for food and income. As a result, over half the population of Mali live in poverty.
Our aims
Through this project, we are aiming to:
- Strengthen the governance and management of four communes (Yasso, Tominian, Benena and Sanekuy) in the Tominian Cercle area.
- Increase women’s participation in this governance work, which will involve the redistribution of management roles for forest resources
- Promote the adoption of land restoration activities to help restore degraded land
- Reduce pressure on forest resources, by providing training in improved charcoal production
- Increase income for eight Village Tree Enterprises (comprising 400 members), as part of wider plans to stimulate the economic development of forest resources
Our partners
This project was made possible with funding from The Darwin Initiative and support from our local partner, Sahel Eco.
