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Natural areas and national parks

Senegal has 7 national parks (one of which is closed) and nature reserves that protect the different ecosystems present in the country. They are also privileged places to observe the fauna and flora.

Niokolo-Koba National Park: located in the region of Tambacounda, it is crossed by the Gambia River and its tributaries. Former hunting reserve, successively enlarged, it protects the ecosystems of the Sudanian bioclimatic zone: wooded savannahs, dry forests and riparian forests. It is home to many animal species (hippos, crocodiles, elephants, Derby elands, lions, birds, etc.) and more than 1,500 plant species. Since 2007, it has been on the Unesco list of World Heritage in Danger. The reasons? Poaching, fires, premature draining of ponds, use of land for agricultural practices, and cattle roaming.

The Djoudj National Bird Park: located in the Senegal delta, it is classified as a RAMSAR site and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a real sanctuary for birds, especially migratory birds, and is the third largest ornithological reserve in the world. There are about 350 species of migratory birds. For the curious or passionate, the park can be discovered by dugout.

The Langue de Barbarie National Park: located a few miles from Saint-Louis of Senegal, it is composed, in addition to a "tongue" of sand or dune cordon, of wetlands around the Senegal River. It can also be discovered by boat and is home to many migratory birds.

The Saloum Delta National Park: it includes an important part of the Saloum River delta, and protects mangrove ecosystems, tropical maritime marshes (tan), but also coastal areas and a wooded savannah. RAMSAR site for the interest of its wetlands, the park is home to mammals (hyenas, monkeys, dolphins) and many fish and birds.

The Magdalen Islands National Park: located off Dakar, this archipelago consists of volcanic islands, sanctuaries of birds, some reptiles and an endemic flora.

The Basse-Casamance National Park: located in the Ziguinchor region, it has been closed for several years following a conflict that saw the laying of mines on its territory.

A country subject to multiple pollution

The environment is becoming a more and more important subject in the country and in particular the question of pollution linked to human activities. The country, which is equipped with measuring stations, can quantify its air quality in a more substantiated way, especially the rate of fine particles. The latter is very high in the capital, reaching levels sometimes 7 times higher than the threshold values recommended by the WHO. The causes of air pollution are multiple: old and highly emissive vehicle fleet, heavy automobile traffic in the city, waste burning and open air combustions, deforestation, dust brought by the Sahara wind. Among the solutions put in place to reduce atmospheric emissions is the Dakar regional express train, the first fast train in French-speaking West Africa, which will be inaugurated in 2019. The President of the Republic has also promised "zero tolerance" for polluting vehicles, pending concrete measures. In addition, filtration systems are often non-existent or defective, and most combustions (heating, burning of waste) are carried out in open fires. Water sanitation remains a concern: wastewater is often discharged into the natural environment without treatment, due to a lack of facilities. Of note, the authorities have taken aim at plastic. Indeed, a 2015 law bans light plastic bags and charges for thick ones: a regulation that aims both at reducing and reusing plastic. Local initiatives are also being implemented, including awareness-raising actions. Associations, fishermen and schools are joining forces to organize coastal clean-up operations and to recover abandoned fishing nets.

Restoration of environments and the fight against deforestation

Deforestation is one of the evils that plague the country. It degrades natural environments, destroys and erodes soils, and contributes to the desertification of certain regions. The Casamance region is particularly affected by the illegal exploitation of precious wood. Between 2005 and 2010, it is estimated that deforestation represented the area of 150 soccer fields per day. Actions carried out by the Océanium of Dakar, an association founded by the great environmentalist Haïdar El Ali, allowed the replanting of 150 million mangrove trees in 2006 in the mangroves of the Saloum and Casamance rivers.

The Great Green Wall

This pan-African project was launched in 2007. Its aim is to combat desertification and restore Sahelian ecosystems. Crossing the continent from east to west on a strip 15 km wide and 7,600 km long (including 535 km in Senegal), this great wall is dedicated to projects such as tree planting, setting up community gardens, fencing to prevent overgrazing, and so on. However, the project is struggling to achieve its objectives, with only 15,000 hectares reforested in Senegal out of the 850,000 planned. Difficulties include water supply and cattle roaming.

Towards agro-ecological transition

Senegal has embarked on an agro-ecological transition process to develop a resilient and productive agriculture. This approach is intended to be inclusive and to encourage emulation in West Africa. The country is working with the FAO, but also with the Economic Community of West African States. It is also involved in a "Support project for women in agriculture and sustainable development". Senegal also relies on public-private partnerships and the creativity of its entrepreneurs. A local start-up has developed an application that allows farmers to start and stop their watering remotely, avoiding long journeys and fuel consumption.