Pastoralism and Protected Areas: Lessons Learned from Western Africa

Abstract

Most protected areas in Western Africa are challenged by seasonal mobile livestock, either on short or long distance, through forage competition, water resources, illegal killing, and disease transmission. Impacts of livestock transhumance have been very dramatic in terms of population dynamic and behavior, especially of large mammals. To understand the roots of the growing conflicts between park managers, pastoralists, and farmers, various studies were carried out with a main focus on Regional Park W (Niger, Burkina, Benin). This article summarizes these stakeholders’ points of view and describes some possible solutions for addressing human–wildlife conflict in this park. Solutions include a vision for land use management that takes into account the protection of biodiversity and seasonal migration for livestock and wildlife. Also explored are mechanisms of negotiation at the local and regional levels including the need for involving pastoral representatives.