Chapter II. General Characteristics of the Area (Park and Peripheral Area)

A. Geographical situation

The “W” Park in Niger derives its name from the angle formed by the River Niger as it flows through the northern foothills of the Atakora mountains—a mountain range situated in Benin. This is an inter-State zone, situated on 2° and 3°20 longitude East, and 11°20 and 12°30 latitude North.

The climate is of the type Sahelian to North Sudanese, with rainfall levels varying between 500 mm. and 1000 mm., and seasons alternating between the rainy season, which lasts 3 to 5 months, and a long dry season between October and April. The average annual temperature varies between 15° and 40°. Low temperatures mostly occur between November and February, and the highest during May–June.

The park is relatively flat. The main mountains are to be found in the south, with the Atakora range (641 m.) in Benin, and to the east is an extension of the Gobnangou cliffs in Burkina Faso. Geologically, seven (7) different rock formations can be found here—sandstone, jasper, schist, and quartz in the mountain range, and different types of gneiss in the plains.

Pedologically speaking, the quality of soil in the mountainous areas is poor, of little depth, and underdeveloped. In the plains, there are lateritic hardpans consisting of poor quality lateritic soil and in the valley regions, alluvio-colluvial soils.

The river network, which is relatively dense, includes the River Niger, a multitude of permanent and semi-permanent lakes and numerous rivers (Mékrou, Tapoa, Pendjo, Kourtiagou, Goroubi, Bali-Bali, etc.).

B. Historical background

Up until 1960, French colonial law applicable in French Western Africa (FWA) governed the “W” Park in Niger. Thus, and in accordance with the decree of March 10, 1925, in which the Refuge Park in West Africa was instituted, the zone covered by the “W” Park was classified as a Refuge Park in 1926. Between 1952 and 1953, the park became a complex of areas defined both as classified State forests, and as wild animal reserves in decrees No. 7640 S.E/F of December 3, 1952 (for Benin), No. 2606/S.E/F of April 14, 1953 (for Burkina Faso), and No. 4676 S.E/F of June 25, 1953 (for Niger). All of these legal texts were adopted by the High Commissioner of the Republic, Governor-General of FWA based in Dakar, in application of the decree of November 18, 1947, relating to regulations governing hunting practices in the colonies, and its decree of enforcement No. 5661 S.E/F dated December 14, 1948.

The uniqueness of the park was only recognized in 1954, when it was classified as a National Park (according to French law), following the decree of August 4, 1954 ratified in Paris by the Council of Ministers of the French Republic. It is effectively in accordance with paragraph 3 of article 1 in that decree that the wild animal reserves and classified forests defined by the legal texts mentioned above became an integral part of the unique area known as the “W” National Park of Niger (WNPN).

After 1960, the WNPN was divided into three sectors, which corresponded to classified State forests and wild animal reserves as defined by the above-mentioned decrees.

However, it should be noted that over the past 15 years, the “W” Park has achieved international status. It is true that, owing to its vast biological diversity, the size of its humid zones, and its cultural diversity, the park has been approached with a view to its being registered partially or totally on the list of Ramsar sites, on the MAB (Man and Biosphere) network, and on UNESCO’s lists of World Natural Patrimony. Unfortunately, because of the lack of consultation among the different countries, international recognition has only been established by sector. Niger is the only country to have succeeded in registering its park as a Ramsar site in 1987, and as Biosphere Reserve and World Natural Patrimony in 1996. However, in 2000, the Ministers responsible for the Environment decided to register the entire WAP as belonging to World Natural Patrimony.

C. Significance of the park

Ecologically and culturally speaking, the “W” National Park is of major significance.

1. Ecological significance

a. Diversity of ecosystems

The WNPN is made up of flat plateau-lands, water-catchment basins and flood plains. It represents the extreme northern limit of the Sudan wooded savanna country, and is a significant wooded area for North Benin, East Burkina Faso, and Southwest Niger.

Generally speaking, this is an area in which one can find shrub savanna lands, tree savanna lands, deciduous forest galleries, semi-evergreen forest galleries, evergreen forest galleries, and flood plains.

With its numerous rivers (River Niger and its tributaries) and permanent lakes, the “W” Park is one of the most important humid zones in the semi-arid area of West Africa. Some of these rivers, such as the Mekrou and the Tapoa, flow through at least two countries.

The WAP park complex, of which the “W” Park is a part, contains an ecosystem that is unique in West Africa. It is one of the last remaining areas of world interest for ecological, scientific, touristic, and cultural reasons. It is in particular one of the last biotopes in the region for the great species of migratory wild animals in Africa, which find sustenance here (given the diverse nature of the landscape, thanks to levels of rainfall varying both in duration and in quantity from the north to the south), and also relative peace and quiet, owing to forest patrols that are carried out sporadically along the boundaries of the three countries concerned.

b. Significant biological diversity

The “W” Park and its immediate surrounding areas accommodate a vastly diverse range of plant life for the semi-arid zones of West Africa. Approximately 544 different plant species have been identified in the region. The different species of flowers registered are as follows:

• On dry, rocky, or eroded ground, the main type of plant life is annual grasses, which dry up rapidly after the rainy season; there are also woody species from the combretaceae family, chiefly Combretum nigricans, Combretum glutinosum, Combretum micranthum, and larger species such as Ostryoderix chevalerie, Lannea spp, Cordilla Pinnata, Burkea africana, etc.
• On deeper soils, the plant life is denser, with a majority of hardy herbaceous perennials, such as Andropogon gayanus and different woody species such as Daniella oliveri, Isoberlinia doka, Afzelia africana, etc.
• On ground where soil is fine and deep, grass covering is well developed, predominated by perennials reaching heights of up to 3 m., which dry out very slowly.
• Evergreen forests that grow along the banks of small streams, and on some river banks, densely covered by woody species such as Diospyros mespilifornis, Vitex spp, Tamarindus indica, Piliostigma toningii, Pterocaspus erinaceus, etc.
• Forest galleries situated along the rivers Tapoa, Mékrou, and Niger, where predominantly huge trees such as Khaya senegalensis, Cola laurifolia, Pterocarpus erinaceus, and Vitex doniana grow.
• In the far northern sector, in particular in the Niger part of the complex, plant life of the Sahelian type can be found, including many thorny species: Acacia seyal, Acacia albida, Balanites aegyptiaca, etc.
• Inside the park itself, on ancient settlement sites, dense thickets of Parkia biglobasa, Ceiba pentendra, and Bombax caustatum can be found, these being species that were of value for feeding local populations.
• In the river basin, the two main species of herbaceous plant life are Echinochloa stagnina (called bourgou in the local dialect) and Eichornia crasipes. The first of these can be found in the flood zones of the River Niger, where “bourgoutières” are formed, these being important grazing areas for hippopotami and domestic animals (cattle).

Thanks to the diversity of its climate and its vegetation, and to the existence of an important network of rivers, this park complex provides an exceptional habitat for aquatic, ground, and avian wild animal life. The complex is also crucially important for the last surviving populations of Sahel-Sudanese mammals. The park accommodates the majority of classified African species listed nationally and internationally as being in danger of extinction. Some of these species move around within the huge complex of protected areas, on either side of a country’s artificial boundaries, depending on rainfall, abundance of grazing, and the availability of watering places.

As far as animal life is concerned, the following have been registered:

• Over 70 different species, including the elephant, buffalo, buffon cob, defassa cob, redunca cob, sassaby, hartebeest, giraffe, hippopotamus, roan antelope, lion, leopard, and a large variety of monkeys (cynocephalus monkey, pata monkey, green monkey, etc.) Endemic species are rare, and those that can be found, such as the manatee, are in small numbers. There are also some animal species that are rarely seen because they are becoming extinct or have already completely disappeared, such as the giant pangolin, common jackal, African wild dog, and common striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus).
• Around 300 different species of sedentary or paleo-arctic migratory birds, including the fish eagle, bateleur eagle, spur-wing goose, gray heron, great African bustard, secretary stork, great Abyssinian hornbill, crowned crane, crested vulture, parrot, kingfisher, etc.
• 150 different species of reptiles and amphibians, such as the crocodile, Sebha python, shrieking viper, naia, Nile monitor, rock turtle, water turtles, toads, and frogs.
• Over 100 different species of fish, some of which nowadays only exist within protected areas: synodontis, tilapia, hydracon, lates, labeo, bagrus, slestes, hetrotis, etc.
• An unspecified number of invertebrates, insects, spiders, and other living organisms.

In the peripheral zones, there is also a wide variety of different animal species, with (i) different types of cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys, and horses; (ii) a variety of cultivated grains (millet, sorghum, corn, fonio, Southern pea, peanut, gumbo, sorrel, gourd, etc.); and (iii) a wide variety of cultivated crops adapted to local conditions of production. However, a case study of genetic resources for the complex has not been carried out, neither for cultivated species nor for their wild parent plants.

2. Cultural significance

a. Significant cultural diversity coupled with high demographic pressure

The park’s rich cultural heritage can be found reflected in the presence of many archeological sites, which bear witness to the existence of ancient human life, and also in the great variety of different races and ethnic groups within the inhabited zones of the complex. It is true to say that many ethnic groups have a joint cultural background, and that these are distributed over the three countries in question. This is the case in particular for the Gourmantché, Djerma, and Dendi cultivators, and for the Peulhs pastoralists or agro-pastoralists.

These communities have different, sometimes even conflicting, attitudes concerning natural resources and the park complex. However, their presence is a certain bonus for the development of a regional system of conservation of protected areas, and for encouraging the sound management of natural resources.

According to Michel Benoît (Benoît 1998a, 1998b), the “W” Park was created in a “No man’s land” (maintained as such since the 14^th century), at a time (1926) when the Sahelian farmers (in the north) had not yet arrived, and those from Borgou (in the south), were few and far between, and sedentary. At the time of the park’s creation, there were only a few villages, which were subsequently deserted, and as a general rule, the density of population on the periphery of the park did not exceed 3 to 5 inhabitants per km? One of the reasons for this low density of population was almost certainly the presence of the tsetse fly, which bore African trypanosomiasis and transmitted river blindness (onchocerciasis).

This situation was to last until the 1970s, at which point a vast campaign to combat African trypanosomiasis and onchocerciasis was carried out successfully at a regional level, and the zone was to become more hospitable. Over the last 30 years, in the immediate peripheral areas, the density of population had increased from 5 to more than 20 inhabitants per km? This increase in population is due not only to natural demographic expansion, but also to the widespread migratory movements, particularly in Niger. In fact, following the drought during the years 1970–73 in the Niger area, a vast policy of “colonization” had been organized by the authorities of the time, which encouraged the migration of poverty-struck populations from the drier north and the settling of rich landowners in declassified areas of the partial game reserve of Tamou in Niger. The presence of these non-native populations often creates problems for natural resources management, insofar as certain (landowners and itinerant pastoralists) only live on the spot at a particular time during the year—which is the time they require to carry out their activity (cultivation and grazing)—sometimes creating situations of conflict with sedentary populations.

Population growth has important consequences on the biological diversity existing in and around the park, particularly because natural resources satisfy a great variety of human needs (food, health, local crafts, habitat, etc.) It is true to say that an ever-increasing human presence in the peripheral areas of the park complex has resulted in there being significant deforestation, overgrazing of pastoral areas, and poaching, which increases the risk of soil erosion caused by water erosion and the disappearance of great wild animal species.

b. High potential for tourism

Although the potential for tourism is less important than in Eastern and Southern Africa, the “W” Park in Niger is of interest to tourists thanks to the diversity of its ecosystems, the presence of great African mammals, a great variety of wild bird life, many rivers including the River Niger, with waterfalls and cascades such as those in Koudou or Tanougou, the presence of historical sites (ancient village settlements), even prehistoric sites (archeological sites), and also to the cultural diversity reigning among local populations. Certain sacred lakes or forest islands are used as altars for ritual offerings, or special rites carried out by populations living by the park.

To encourage thousands of tourists, each country has set up an important infrastructure that includes forest trails, hotels, rural lodges. Unfortunately, the efforts made to encourage tourism are not always considered as a means of setting up an effective and long-term system of integrated transboundary management for the WAP Park Complex, including the “W” Park.