Senegal Faces Environmental Crisis Amidst Decentralization Struggles and Data Deficiencies
Senegal is grappling with a deepening environmental crisis – marked by desertification, wildfires, and overgrazing – exacerbated by a lack of reliable data and insufficient local resources, despite decades of decentralization efforts. A recent roundtable discussion, inspired by the documentary “AAKIMO 2 TOROXAL SUUF – THE EARTH IS TIRED,” highlighted the urgent need for more integrated governance and research tailored to local realities.
The Data Gap Hinders Effective Policy
A central challenge identified by participants is the absence of accurate information regarding Senegal’s natural resources. “It is currently impossible to find precise data on the reality of our natural resources,” stated a senior researcher from the National Forestry Research Center (CNRF) of ISRA. This lack of data poses a fundamental obstacle to developing effective public policies, raising concerns that solutions may be based on guesswork rather than informed analysis.
Experts agree that a renewed focus on research and innovation is crucial. One scientist emphasized that without prioritizing these areas, “we will be caught up in everyday life and the immediate, and we will find barbaric solutions.” Cheikh Mbow, Director General of the Ecological Monitoring Center, underscored the importance of preserving “natural capital,” stating, “You need natural capital to build something solid.”
Decentralization Remains Unfulfilled
While Senegal initiated decentralization in 1996, aiming to empower local authorities with natural resource management responsibilities, the process remains largely incomplete. According to a CNRF official, local authorities “have neither the technical, financial nor logistical means to contribute effectively to this management.”
The situation on the ground is particularly concerning, with forestry services often responsible for vast territories – sometimes exceeding the size of an entire region. A researcher explained that responses to issues like bushfires are often reactive rather than preventative, noting, “We tell them there’s a bushfire somewhere. They come to see this information or not. Not for prevention.” However, the researcher also offered a nuanced perspective, acknowledging that bushfires can be a “formidable management method” utilized in certain contexts, even incorporated into planned resource management strategies.
Fragmentation of Pastoral Lands Fuels Overgrazing
Overgrazing, while a visible symptom, is rooted in a deeper issue: the increasing fragmentation of pastoral spaces. This fragmentation stems from several factors, including the expansion of agriculture without integrated planning, large-scale land allocations to agribusinesses that encroach on traditional grazing areas – “obstructing transhumance paths and affecting mobility” – and a proliferation of unregulated drilling operations. Current standards recommend a 15-kilometer spacing between water sources to mitigate ecological damage and overgrazing, but these guidelines are not consistently followed. A key concern is the lack of a “harmonized intervention framework to bring together stakeholders and think about what we need to do at the scale of relevant territories.”
Cultural Context and Local Initiatives
The importance of cultural relationships with the environment was also highlighted. A journalist from Ziguinchor noted that for communities like the Diola, the forest holds a sacred and deeply ingrained cultural significance. This cultural dimension often creates tension with newcomers who may not understand or respect these traditional codes. However, positive examples of local initiatives exist, such as community forests where tree-cutting quotas are collectively decided, demonstrating the potential for community-led conservation.
The Need for Integrated Research
A fundamental problem identified by researchers is the sectoral compartmentalization of research efforts. Currently, research needs related to local authorities are dispersed across multiple ministries – Higher Education, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Environment – leading to a lack of coordination and a fragmented understanding of the issues. This necessitates territorialized research that integrates all relevant dimensions in a coordinated manner. Looking ahead, one researcher envisions a future where artificial intelligence handles data analysis, but the role of the researcher remains vital in providing “the decision-making elements.”
A Nation in Progress, Facing a Critical Juncture
Despite the challenges, a sense of cautious optimism prevails. Nicolas, the producer of “AAKIMO 2 (Toroxal Suuf – The earth is tired),” who has lived in Senegal for 25 years, expressed his belief that “I have the impression of being in a country where everything has to be built and that it is possible to do it. I still have the impression that there are things moving forward.” This sentiment was echoed by a CNRF official, who believes Senegal is a country “where everything is in progress.”
However, the question remains whether authorities will translate this hope into concrete policies before “the tired earth” succumbs to the combined pressures of environmental degradation and the escalating climate emergency.
