Integrated Forest Management Project: Involvement of local inhabitants for better preservation of forest resources
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Loading... - Isabella Martel
- 10 Oct 2022
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The forestry sector is of paramount environmental, social, economic and security importance. For this reason, JICA is implementing the Integrated Forest Management Project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries. The project covers 72 forest areas in 5 governorates: Béja, Jendouba, Kèf, Siliana and Zaghouan.
For sustainable management, the project includes an inclusive social development component, with the support of agricultural development groups (GDA), which consists of involving the population in the preservation of forest resources and the promotion of forest products.
Support to the GDAs is an integral part of the project, given the important role they play in the management and conservation of natural resources, such as water, forests and pastures, which are subject to heavy overexploitation, aggravated by the effects of climate change.
It is within the framework of monitoring the activities of this project, in particular the evaluation of its impact on the local population, that a JICA team moved to Le Kef, to the project sites. She noted the progress of several actions, such as the reforestation of more than 600 ha in Jebel Lorbous, a mountain in the delegation of Sers.
“It was bare land, and a new forest was created by planting Aleppo pines, the species best suited to the soil in this region. Thanks to this, aromatic and medicinal herbs have reappeared, which has generated resources for the state and local populations. The Aleppo pine and the aromatic and medicinal plants allow the extraction of products such as essential oils, honey, oil, etc.", explains Mr. Faek Abdelmalek, the head of the forest district in the Governorate. According to him, the forest was degraded by several factors and posed an ecological and socio-economic threat. Ms. Saliha, project manager, added that pits have been created for irrigation and to protect the soil against erosion.
The visit continued to the mountain of Mallègue where 6.7 km of paved tracks have been built. "Thanks to these tracks, the inhabitants of the various villages in the region have access to schools, markets and other amenities", explains the head of the district. Read More...
