The Microproject in the Taï National Park
PACPNT (Projet Autonome de Conservation du Parc National de Taï) aims to encourage the sustainable development of all communities bordering Taï National Park, while preventing any increase in pressure on the natural resources of the area.
The programme was launched a few years ago with support from the Ivorian government, the German aid agency GTZ, and WWF.As soon as we showed what was possible, they did it
PACPNT consists of various microprojects in the buffer zone of the park, for example agricultural activities such as fish breeding and rice farming. "As soon as we were able to demonstrate that it was both feasible and profitable to grow rice in the swampy zones of the area, farmers started to do it," explains Kofi N'Dri, Taï National Park Director. "Now, local communities can get rice all year round."
Farmers trained by veterinarians
Pig and chicken breeding techniques have also been improved. "You find less pigs and chickens wandering in the villages, they are now more and more in enclosures," says Kofi N'Dri. Some farmers have also be trained by veterinarians to acquire basic animal health knowledge and practice.
Establishing Health Centres
PACPNT also takes care of the villagers' health. Health centres have been established with specially trained health agents. "Not so long ago, people were dying simply because they did not know how to use the drugs that had been prescribed to cure them," adds Kofi N'Dri. "It's important to train specialists but it is also crucial to improve the flow of information to the population."
This kind of approach is also valid for nature conservation efforts. Kalé Gbegbe, WWF's Project leader in Taï, spends a lot of time raising awareness of conservation issues in the future leaders and farmers of the region. He regularly meets with the region's teachers, gives lectures, and organizes workshops in schools.
