Restoring Degraded Land in Senegal

The project, which aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, focuses on implementing profitable and sustainable agroforestry practices in collaboration with local villages, aiming to restore tropical forests while empowering communities and combating climate change.

Overview

The Sahel, a vast African region stretching 5,400km from the Atlantic to the Red Sea, lies between the Sahara and the Sudanian savanna. This semi-arid zone experiences prolonged dry spells, with recent years marked by severe droughts. The 2010 drought, characterised by extreme temperatures and minimal rainfall, led to widespread famine and illness. Climate change has exacerbated these weather patterns, making the Sahel's inhabitants among the most climate-vulnerable globally.

Desertification plagues the Sahel, transforming once-fertile lands into barren expanses. In Senegal, this process, along with land degradation, significantly impairs agricultural productivity. Consequently, food insecurity rises, job opportunities dwindle, and rural-to-urban migration increases. A local NGO estimates that desertification affects 34% of Senegal's arable land, contributing to a 30% loss of the country's forests.

Additional factors driving land degradation include excessive grazing, deforestation, and unsustainable farming practices. Without intervention, local communities risk losing access to productive land. However, solutions such as tree planting and ecosystem restoration offer hope. These initiatives not only mitigate climate change but also help communities adapt, potentially reviving ecosystems in areas previously threatened by degradation and desertification.

Community members gather for land restoration project in Tambacounda, Senegal, where Hommes et Terre are working to combat land degradation. Photo credits to Ecologi.

The land restoration project

This initiative will take place in the Tambacounda region of Senegal, specifically in the commune of Golmi. The project's location is in close proximity to 20 existing partner villages in the Bakel and Goudiry regions, where the team has extensive experience collaborating with local communities.

The project aims to restore 245 hectares of degraded land through the planting of 367,500 trees, comprising at least 10 different species. Local communities will have the autonomy to select tree species based on their potential to generate sustainable income through the sale of tree products.

To create optimal growing conditions, the project will implement "half moons", which are micro-basins designed to retain water during the rainy season. These trees will contribute to both climate change adaptation and mitigation by improving soil quality, enhancing drought resistance, and creating microclimates through agroforestry systems that store carbon in trees and soil.

The project's success will be evaluated through Forestry Monitoring reports at one and three-year intervals, assessing tree survival and health. Additionally, staff will conduct interviews with the Cellule Villageoise to gather local perspectives on the project's impact. Broader investigations will be carried out to understand the socio-economic effects on the community and identify any necessary adjustments to strengthen the partnership between the organisation and the village.

See more about the project on Restor.

Aerial view of land restoration project in Senegal showing parallel soil conservation trenches across degraded terrain. Photo credits to Ecologi.

Implementation

Hommes et Terre (H&T), a private social profit enterprise, is dedicated to developing and implementing large-scale reforestation and land management programmes, with the aim of securing long-term access to fertile land for local communities.

H&T's approach is founded on a mutually beneficial partnership with local communities, fostering a sense of pride and deep understanding of the trees' value among residents. This strategy enhances the long-term protection of the forest. By establishing a 30-year partnership agreement with each village, validated and co-signed by local authorities in compliance with land registry laws, H&T safeguards the land and project from external commercial exploitation whilst ensuring the community retains land ownership.

Villagers involved in the project receive compensation from H&T for various services, including seed collection, monitoring, and surveillance activities. To give the community a voice in project direction, a Cellule Villageoise, comprising village members and mandating at least one female representative, is formed. This group collaborates with Local Forestry Agents, the Regional Strategic Counsel, and H&T's field agents to ensure proper project management and stewardship of the common good.

Three local participants display project materials against a weathered wall backdrop, highlighting grassroots involvement in forest development and environmental conservation initiatives. Photo credits to Ecologi.

Key objectives

Large-scale reforestation and land management

Hommes et Terre (H&T) aims to develop and execute extensive programmes to restore degraded land in Senegal.

Sustainable land access for local communities

The project seeks to guarantee long-term access to sufficient fertile land for local people.

Community empowerment and partnership

H&T establishes win-win business partnerships with local communities, fostering a sense of pride and understanding of the value of trees among residents while ensuring their involvement in project management and decision-making.

Project impact

Environmental Impact

The project focuses on large-scale reforestation and land management to restore degraded areas in Senegal. By planting a diverse range of tree species and implementing agroforestry systems, the initiative aims to improve soil quality, enhance drought resistance, and increase carbon sequestration.

The restoration of tropical forests has the potential to sequester approximately 1.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide per acre annually. This approach combats desertification and contributes to biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation, creating more resilient ecosystems in the Sahel region.

Social Impact

Hommes et Terre places a strong emphasis on community empowerment and partnership. The project establishes long-term agreements with local villages, ensuring their active involvement in decision-making processes. I

t provides comprehensive training to mobilise village communities on various aspects of land recovery and sustainable management. Gender equality is promoted by including women in leadership roles within the project, such as in the Cellule Villageoise. By creating local jobs for seed collection, treatment, and manual work, the project fosters a sense of ownership and pride among community members, strengthening social cohesion and resilience.

Economic Impact

The project aims to create sustainable economic opportunities for local communities through the implementation of profitable and sustainable agroforestry practices. By dividing the restored land between the village and Hommes et Terre, both parties can benefit from agroforestry activities, ensuring a fair distribution of economic gains.

The focus on creating local jobs and strengthening the local economy helps to reduce rural-to-urban migration by providing viable livelihoods within the community. Through entrepreneurship and the creation of added value from forest products, the project aims to generate lasting social and economic impacts, contributing to poverty reduction and sustainable development in the region.

Senegalese villagers gather for an educational session on sustainable forest management, Hommes et Terre. Photo credits to Ecologi.

UN Sustainable development goals

The project aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

1 - No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2 - Zero Hunger: Rethink how we grow, share and consume our food, providing nutritious food for all
5 - Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13 - Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
15 - Life on Land: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

Read more about the UN sustainability development goals.

Verification and Location

Location: Tambacounda, Senegal

Photo credits: Ecologi

FAQ’s

How can individuals or organisations contribute financially to the land restoration project in Senegal?
While specific donation information is not provided, interested parties can contact Hommes et Terre directly to inquire about supporting their reforestation and land management programmes in Senegal.

What is being done to mitigate climate risks for the forests in Senegal?
The project is restoring 245 hectares of degraded land by planting 367,500 trees of at least ten different species. This approach helps improve soil quality, enhances drought resistance, and contributes to carbon sequestration, all of which mitigate climate risks.

How does Senegal's geography affect its vulnerability to climate change and impact conservation efforts?
Senegal, part of the Sahel region, is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its semi-arid climate. The country faces challenges such as desertification and land degradation, which affect agricultural productivity and food security, making conservation efforts crucial.

How does the project ensure the long-term sustainability of its conservation efforts?
Hommes et Terre establishes 30-year partnership agreements with local villages, ensuring community involvement and land protection. The project also creates local jobs and implements profitable agroforestry practices, fostering long-term economic and environmental sustainability.

 What educational programmes does the land restoration project in Senegal run?
While specific educational programmes are not detailed, the project provides training to local communities on various aspects of land recovery and sustainable management. This includes involving villagers in seed collection, monitoring activities, and project surveillance.

How does the project select its partners to ensure they adhere to sustainable practices?
The project works closely with local communities, forming a Cellule Villageoise (Village Cell) to give the community a voice in the project's direction. It also collaborates with Local Forestry Agents and the Regional Strategic Counsel to ensure proper project management and adherence to sustainable practices.