Protecting the Konkouré mangrove landscape (Nature Africa)

The Konkouré mangrove protection project, located in the Dubréka prefecture near Conakry, aims to preserve an essential ecosystem on which the local population depends for its livelihood. This landscape, which represents one third of Guinea’s coastal mangroves, faces significant anthropogenic pressure: logging, intensive fishing, expansion of rice-growing areas, urbanisation, poor waste management, etc. Conservation initiatives are already underway, but the lack of regulation on resource exploitation and pollution is affecting the ecosystem. The Garafiri hydroelectric development has also altered the local hydrology, impacting rice cultivation and fishing. Mangrove conservation is therefore essential, but it requires the integration of local populations into sustainable resource management.

Our action

The project aims to improve the living conditions of local communities, particularly women and young people, while protecting the biodiversity of the mangroves in the Konkouré estuary. It has three objectives:

  • To conserve the landscape by creating a protected area and enforcing environmental laws in order to reduce anthropogenic pressures on the mangroves.
  • Identify economic opportunities for local communities in order to improve household incomes through sustainable resource management.
  • Improve territorial governance of the landscape to ensure inclusive resource management, particularly for women and young people.

Summary

Project duration: January 2025-January 2029 (4 years)

Project area: Konkouré Estuary, in 5 municipalities in the Dubréka prefecture.

Operational project partners:

  • Gret (lead partner) – international NGO under French law
  • Guinea Ecology (GE) – NGO under Guinean law, supported by Birdlife International (international conservation NGO)
  • The Technical Services (decentralised) of the State and the Communities.

Financial partner of the project: European Union

Budget: €3,287,548

Beneficiaries

The project’s target group consists of:

  • The population of the Konkouré estuary (estimated at 23,000 people in a 2006 study on the impacts of Garafiri), 43 villages in 5 municipalities in the Dubreka Prefecture,
  • More specifically, households whose economy is heavily dependent on forest and fishery resources for food and income generation.
  • The action will primarily target vulnerable households (women and young people) through economic groups, which it will help to structure in each of the municipalities.

The final beneficiaries of the project are:

  • The population of the Dubreka Prefecture (~500,000 inhabitants),
  • Decentralised local authorities (municipalities),
  • Nature conservation officers (OGPNRF),
  • Decentralised technical services (agriculture, fisheries, decentralisation and land use planning), and national research institutions.