Transboundary protected areas management: experiences from W-Arly-Pendjari parks in West Africa

Abstract

This paper presents the experiences of W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) parks in West Africa to improve conservation strategies with the support of partners within a transboundary management system. The W Regional Park and WAP complex conservation, funded respectively by the European Union and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects since 2001, has allowed the development of a technical basis for the transboundary approach and enhanced the effectiveness of protected areas management. This paper outlines the results of these projects including the harmonization of management strategies and the establishment of the regional patrol and biodiversity survey systems which have strengthened threat reduction. An important tool developed through the cooperative management is the establishment and implementation of a regional coordination system that brings together the three countries and all stakeholders involved in WAP protected areas management. A GEF small grant system was also implemented to support rural activities that contribute to biodiversity conservation and improve riparian communities’ livelihoods in the WAP complex. The transboundary management of the complex is an experience which provides excellent lessons and deserves to be supported by natural resource funding to ensure the main management objective - the long-term conservation of biodiversity.