The non-governmental organization (NGO) Wetlands International West Africa and the Golf of Guinea (WIACO) in collaboration with its partners, has been able to restore 51 hectares of salt land in the Delta Saloum and 1,600 hectares of the mangrove ecosystem throughout the country, the revelation were made by its Executive Director Ibrahima Thiam during a recent press briefing as a prelude to World Mangrove Day Celebrations
Mr. Thiam further revealed that in conjunction with the National Institute of Pedology (INP),they have worked on a method of reclaiming salty land, based on phosphogypsum and natural compost, which has been able to restore and make suitable for agriculture, 51 hectares of salty land in eight villages of the Saloum Delta”, said Mr. Thiam.
Celebrated every year on July 26 around the world, the day was initiated by UNESCO to raise public awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems and promote their conservation
“This restoration solution used in eight villages in the communes of Diossong, Djilor, Djirnda and Toubacouta, in the Saloum Delta and the Mbissel valley (commune of Fimela) will be scaled up to the areas of intervention of Wetlands International Africa”, he intimated
Regarding the mangrove ecosystem, the Executive Director of Wetlands pointed out that “the level of mangrove degradation is measured using a tool called +Global Mangrove Watch+, a geographic information system for the world’s mangroves, which makes it possible to monitor degradation as well as restoration actions”.
“This system has revealed that out of a total surface area of 65,000 ha of mangrove ecosystems in Senegal, 6,000 ha are degraded”, he noted, adding that 1,600 ha have been restored thanks to the project to strengthen the resilience of mangrove-dependent communities in the Saloum Delta (PRC).
Senegal’s mangroves are found in the lower valleys of the Senegal, Sine-Saloum and Casamance rivers. These ecosystems are now recognized for their importance in providing ecosystem services.
Wetlands International Africa West Coast and Gulf of Guinea (WIACO) works in Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia to meet environmental challenges.
It is the largest non-profit organization dedicated to wetland conservation and restoration in Senegal.