Project
Dogo-Ketou Forest

The need to feed a growing population and the effects of global climate change are putting further pressure on natural resources, mainly forests in which the local community relies on as the main source of subsistence. In Benin, despite the fact that many forests have the status of protected areas, they are still under pressure from the local community. It is the case of the Dogo-Ketou Classified Forest that is an example of the limits of the effectiveness of protected areas in the conservation of forest resources in recent years. The causes of deforestation of the Dogo-Ketou Forest are driven by population growth, intensive harvesting of forests for charcoal production, in other words, for subsistence. Indeed this forest, thanks to its geographical location presents rich biodiversity with numerous Non-Timber Forests Products. However, the current management model of this forest seems ineffective for the conservation of species due to lack of planning at the local level and effective co-management. It is important to reassess the resources of this forest and to initiate capacity building that will be useful to the population in terms of improvement of livelihood and awareness-raising actions for more accurate and participative management of this forest.
This project aims to contribute to the sustainable management of the Dogo-Kétou classified forest. Mainly: study and describe the population structure of valuable species; evaluate and promote different agroforestry practices; restore degraded areas of forest with a view to restoring the forest ecosystem through natural regeneration and/or tree planting; work closely with communities to develop alternative livelihood activities; run an awareness campaign on forest protection and conservation.
This project started in January 2021 and will end in February 2022. But, due to the lack of funding, the achievements of the project could crumble and the Dogo-Kétou forest will eventually disappear. Greater and sustainable financial support is needed to facilitate participatory forest management.