Growing Diversity – West Africa
TITLE OF EXPERIENCE: The sustainable community management of the sacred forest of Zaïpobly
AUTHOR: The village community of Zaïpobly and The Centre for Ecological Research (CRE)
COUNTRY AND REGION: Côte d’Ivoire, Zaïpobly - Sub-Prefecture of Taï
ECOLOGICAL ZONE: Humid evergreen tropical forest
ABSTRACT
The Taï area in the South-West of the Côte d’Ivoire is covered with the vestiges of the original humid evergreen tropical forest of West Africa with a number of endemic species. It is situated in an area which was entirely green at the beginning of the last century but is now unfortunately reduced to isolated remnants of forest because of the strong pressure which it finds itself under. Most of these remnant areas have survived because they are considered sacred.
The sacred forest of Zaïpobly is a dense humid forest; no plant can be taken from it without prior permission. As a result, biological resources that are found there are well protected. This forest has many functions: the protection of the village, a reserve for medicinal plants, a place for holding meetings that are of high importance socio-culturally. The Kwi provides the mechanism for the traditional community management of the sacred forest of Zaïpobly. This society is very hierarchical and its authority ensures the protection of natural resources.
Despite the rapid disintegration of traditional social structures, the Kwi have not lost management of the sacred forest. They rely on the police and the punishment of offenders, following established rules and implementing drastic sanctions. Nevertheless, demographic pressure, lack of fertile land, and progressive changes in attitude are problems that the managers of the sacred forest of Zaïpobly face.
CONTACT:
Centre de Recherche en Ecologie (CRE) - 08 BP 109 – Abidjan 08 – COTE D’IVOIRE, Tél. 225 21 25 73 36 / 22 47 80 33 / 22 47 06 79 – Fax 225 21 25 73 36 / 22 47 80 33, Email : mtahoux@caramail.com