A study was conducted on the natural resources exploited or exploitable by populations
in the area known as “Espace Taï”, in south-western Côte d'Ivoire. GIZ is
the sponsor. This work, carried out by two consultants, Mr. Ildefonse Ndabalishye and Mr. Armand-Aimé
Zabouo, from 16 June to 6 August 2014, consisted of an inventory and analysis accompanied by proposals for a profitable and sustainable valuation of the capital in question.
This covers the floristic,
faunistic, cultural and tourist fields. The challenge is, at the same time, environmental, economic and social.
The direct recipient of this study is certainly its initiator, but the fact remains that the institutional or technical
actors for whom its content can be useful are numerous. It is a
fact that several ministerial departments and international and national partners have a relationship with
the object under consideration, not to mention its current beneficiaries.
The ultimate objective of the operation is the protection of the Taï National Park (PNT), which is
the heart of the said territory. Indeed, this heritage, both national and global, continues to be subject to illicit
harvesting through poaching and harvesting activities by local residents. It is a question of
diverting them from this desire by supporting them in the search for alternatives that can be developed
in their regions.
The study was generally conducted based on the MARP. Exchanges with the actors
met in order to involve them were carried out using the semi-structured interview technique
(ISS). As for the analysis of the data collected, it was done according to the SWOT method.
The resources identified can be divided into four groups: (i) edible plants,
(ii) plants for various uses, (iii) fauna (terrestrial and aquatic), (iv) village forests, (v) village
cultural sites. Of this set, only wildlife is currently showing a certain weight at the
macroeconomic level, through the “bushmeat” sector and through fishing. Dietary plants also
have a certain importance in terms of household subsistence and small local
businesses.
Various weaknesses emerge from the exploitation of capital in question. But, in addition,
a few assets and opportunities make it possible to develop perspectives that are properly articulated
with the aim of the study. The first strong point lies in the great awareness of populations
concerning the environment and biodiversity. This momentum, which is more clearly expressed among indigenous people
than among migrants, is perceived through initiatives to preserve forest fragments by
individuals, communities or communities.
At the level of food plants, the most remarkable alternative, which is already effective, is the domestication of two species,
Irvingia gabonensis (sackô) and Tieghemella heckelii (makoré).
These are trees that produce oleiferous almonds that are used to make sauces. It
appears that the main limiting factor is the availability of plants, whose source is mainly projects.
The long period of entry into production of these trees does not seem to be a prohibitive constraint. Moreover, it is
resolved by grafting, at least for I. gabonensis. This technique, which reduces this waiting
period from 10 years to 5 years, is not yet adopted in Côte d'Ivoire. There is reason to try it.
Non-food plants are mainly exploited through crafts and
pharmacopoeia. These are two fields reserved for initiates, whose art is often transmitted filially. The
numerous species involved are on an inclusive list in the appendix. Empiricism, which
still characterizes Ivorian herbal medicine, is a serious handicap. On the other hand, the high cost of modern
medicine makes this practice an attractive alternative, just as the support envisaged by the
MSLCS proves to be a mobilizing asset. When it comes to crafts, it remains an underexplored area.
As far as wildlife is concerned, traditional small-scale hunting remains harmless while contributing to nutritional balance at
the family level. It can continue to be practiced in open spaces,
according to the legislation in force. The situation is different with professional poaching, for which the
priority remedy remains police repression. The breeding of certain wild species such as
the aulacode, and possibly the gazelle, may in future represent a means of supplying the
scrub that has become one of the pillars of Ivorian gastronomy. Experiences deserve to be repeated.
Fish extracted from Lake Buyo is proving to be the main component of resources drawn from
the area surrounding the PNT. The quality of this commodity and the technical expertise of its professionals represent
a major asset. On the other hand, the decline in the supervision of the latter and the resulting anarchy
seem to constitute a threat to the demographic balance of ichthyo-fauna. In particular, there is
an emergency.
The determination of some people and communities in Espace Taï to save what is left
of their forest settlements and cultural and tourist sites does not seem to be enough to ensure its success. For the latter, there
appears to be a crucial need in terms of support for the initial
characterization and development of these relics. Assistance in this area will come mainly from the OIPR in synergy
with GIZ. Overall recommendations are made at the end of the report.