The Global Environment Facility has approved US$1.26 million for a new initiative led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Senegal to support biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration and community resilience in the Niokolo-Koba National Park landscape.
The initiative will focus on strengthening conservation efforts in one of West Africa’s most important natural sites. It aims to restore degraded ecosystems, improve protected area management and support sustainable livelihoods for communities living around the park.
Located in southeastern Senegal across the regions of Kédougou, Tambacounda and Kolda, Niokolo-Koba National Park covers nearly 913,000 hectares. The park is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve and is one of the largest Sudanian savannah landscapes in West Africa.
The park is home to rich biodiversity, including more than 70 mammal species and 329 bird species. Although it was removed from UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger in 2024 following major conservation efforts, the area continues to face threats from poaching, bushfires, agricultural expansion, mining activities, invasive species and climate change.
The proposed 24-month project is expected to be implemented by IUCN and executed by the Directorate of National Parks under Senegal’s Ministry of Environment and Ecological Transition. The initiative is also expected to leverage US$4 million in co-financing to support conservation and sustainable management activities.
The project aims to restore 3,000 hectares of degraded ecosystems, improve the management of 913,000 hectares of terrestrial protected areas and promote sustainable management practices across 5,000 hectares of landscapes.
A key focus of the initiative will be strengthening participatory governance, ecological monitoring and sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities. By involving communities directly in restoration and conservation work, the project seeks to create stronger links between environmental protection and local development.
In total, around 2,000 people are expected to benefit directly from the initiative, including 1,500 women. The project places women, young people and local communities at the centre of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience efforts.
IUCN said the initiative will support Senegal’s national priorities for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. It also reaffirms IUCN’s commitment to working with the Government of Senegal and partners to preserve Niokolo-Koba National Park as a natural heritage site of global importance.
Overall, the GEF-funded initiative represents an important investment in Senegal’s protected areas, biodiversity conservation and community resilience. By combining ecosystem restoration, sustainable livelihoods and participatory governance, the project aims to protect Niokolo-Koba National Park while supporting the people who depend on its surrounding landscapes.
