Gestion participative de la Forêt Classée de Timbéri

The “Forêt Classée de Timbéri” (FC) is located in the southernmost part of Chad, in the Department of Logone. The FC covers 88.200 hectares and harbours antelopes, elephants and primates. The forest resources used to play an important socio-economic and cultural role in the everyday lives of 15.000 people living around the forest. Products from the forest, like honey, mushrooms, meat and medicinal plants were an important addition to the income/products from agricultural activities. Before the civil war (1979) the authorities installed strict protection of the forest with permanent officers stationed there to enforce the protective measures, meaning very limited access for local communities. Nowadays, enforcement measures have eroded, staff is unmotivated and responsible authorities have a bad relation with surrounding communities, ignoring the needs of the local people. This situation leads to deforestation, conflicts between local farmers and (semi)nomads, poaching and uncontrolled use of bushfires. It is said that the authorities’ staff add their income by allowing the military and poachers to enter the forest for hunting purposes. The specific objectives of the project are to make: * Communities aware about the principles of community forestry and the opportunities related to community management of the FC de Timbéri, in conjunction with the responsible authorities; to protect * the flora and fauna of the FC; and to improve * the livelihoods of the communities surrounding the FC. Main activities planned: * Awareness raising activities amongst local communities and staff of responsible authorities * Construction of a fire break, tree planting and creation of conservation zones in the FC. * Formation of household associations for sustainable exploitation of forest products.

Increased awareness of local stakeholders including local authorities on the threats on Timberi forest and necessary measures needed to reverse this trend. Establishment of local committees to monitor and protect the forest at village level. Planted over 30000 indigenous trees in the forest including fruits trees. A total of 50 km fire tracing belt is put in place each year to prevent bush fires. Provided training and funds for over 200 women to embark on income generating activities, in order to improve their income and contribute to the sustainable management of non timber forest products. Improved the capacity of the NGO and the local civil society in the fight against desertification and the biodiversity loss. A revolving fund of EUR 2000 is put in place to finance local socio-economic initiatives that have a direct link with conservation; for instance the sustainable harvesting and marketing of NTFP. A group of 60 crafts men were trained on sustainable ntfp harvesting and craft tools (of EUR 6000) were provided.