Drylands Coordination Group

The Sahelo Saharan zone covers over 50% of Mali. Its population is composed by different ethnic groups of sedentary and mobile pastoralists. About 30% of the population adopts a pastoral way of life, which is characterized by mobility-based extensive livestock as production technique. The continuing decline of water and pasture resources and increasing human population and livestock have led to strong pressure on natural resources gradually destroying the complementarity and coexistence between agricultural activities and livestock.

The south-west of Timbuktu (area of lakes Faguibine, Fati, Télé and Horo) and the localities Gavinana Korera Korah, Bagneres Trougoumbé in the Western Sahel constitutes transit areas for moving livestock.

The conflicts are becoming more and more violent between herders and farmers due to the narrowing of corridors for animal mobility due to extensions of cropping areas, and between sedentary pastoralists and mobile around recession pastures of the lakes.

Eventually, the project contributes to the equitable access to natural resources in order to achieve food security which is one of the main objectives of DCG Mali. To achieve these objectives the project develops and disseminates appropriate technology for the regeneration of Sahelian pastures. In addition to this, the project also develops a model of collaborative management and access to natural resources

The immediate effects of the project are that animals will have the necessary conditions (pasture, water and salt lick) for better productivity. Thus the production of milk, butter and cheese for the household maintenance (food, health, education, etc.).

The consolidation of a sustainable social peace through the joint management of pasture resources based on local agreements known and respected by all. The model developed could be used by municipalities and the State of Mali a local land Commission (CFL) will be the first level of arbitration of many land disputes in rural areas. CARE and other DCG member organizations will also continue to promote such a model beyond the project.

This should ultimately lead to:

• A reduction of herds sojourn in the lakes in general and Lake Télé in particular. This reduction of the stay of livestock in the lakes, is likely to shorten the length of the pressure on lakes’ pastures.

• A secure movement of herds during their seasonal migration through a participatory approach of management of rangeland;

• Reduced risk of conflicts linked to the transhumance of herds and their sojourn at the lakes levels.

The operational research activities have focused on the technical premises of pasture regeneration and mechanisms for cooperative management of resources. Throughout the studies, it appeared that several programs and projects under implementation fall directly under the protection, enhancement and rational management of rangeland resources in the area.

Long-term impact

The long term effect of the project will be regeneration of pastures around the pastoral wells, transit and waiting zones will have significant impact on securing access to resources (water, pasture, salt land) vital for economic activity of mobile pastoralists. This would also allow nomadic herders to better organize their migration itinerary and make optimal and rational use of pastures and water points.

The availability of pasture in the area combined with a mechanism of participatory management of natural resources will contribute to significant reduction of pressure on natural resources, which are becoming more and more scarce and conflicts between users with different interests.