Protection measures against the impacts of agricultural and agro industrial projects in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary

Lately, the Djoudj National Park is subject to discharges of agricultural effluents and proliferation of invasive plants that threaten its natural balance. This situation is notably due to the installation of rice lockers around the site following the launch of the National Rice Self-Sufficiency Program in the Senegal River Delta.

Beyond these agricultural problems, the construction of the Diama and Manantali dams has greatly disrupted the hydrological balance of the park. We have thus been able to observe a proliferation of aquatic invasive plants, a reduction in the amplitude of water levels, but also a decrease in certain colonies of birds.

The Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981 and on the List of World Heritage in Danger from 1984-1988 and from 2000-2006. 

Situated in the Senegal River delta, the Djoudj Sanctuary is a 16,000 ha wetland ecosystem comprising a large lake surrounded by streams, ponds and backwaters. It forms a living but fragile sanctuary for some 1.5 million birds of 365 species including over 120 species of Palaearctic migrants. This habitat constitutes a vital but fragile sanctuary for a million and a half birds and almost 365 species including more than 120 species of Palearctic migrants. It is essential for nesting species such as the white pelicans, the African spoonbill, the cormorant, the flamingo and the great egret, and contains large populations of crocodiles and manatees.

Due to its geographical location, the Djoudj National Park is a haven of peace for migrating Palearctic birds and Afro tropical birds. Indeed, it constitutes the first stage of migration after crossing the Sahara for these species.

Objectives

Recent development works are helping to recreate optimal ecological conditions in order to maintain the biological diversity of the property. This project mainly aims to:

Progress made

• Restoration operations have been carried out to control invasive species through the cleaning of canals and the elimination of floating vegetation in backwaters and lakes. An area of 40 hectares of Typha australis was cleared and 30 km of canals cleaned.
• Round table consultation of technical and financial partners organized in November 2021 in Dakar.
• Roadmap of actions to be finalized based on recommendations of the Reactive Monitoring Mission undertaken in February 2022

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) addressed by the project: 11.4 and 15.1 

Partners

This project is made possible thanks to the financial support of
the Norwegian government.