In the Cacheu region, in Guinea-Bissau, local people are taking action to protect their forest ! !

Since 2023, the NGO Organização para o Desenvolvimento das Zonas Húmidas (ODZH) has been implementing the project “Restoration and Sustainable Management of the Community Forest of the Ecological Complex of Mata d’Ucó, Calequisse, and Botê” in Guinea-Bissau, funded by PPI.

The work carried out with local communities in the ecological complex aims to strengthen forest conservation in the region, where mangroves represent 62% of the forest cover in this part of the Cacheu region. The initiative began with meetings between ODZH and local communities, followed by discussions within the communities themselves about the problem of forest destruction caused by cashew plantations. Locally, there is a strong perception that this monoculture is significantly exacerbating socio-environmental issues and biodiversity loss in the area. In response, local communities have decided to change this situation by reforesting with a variety of native tree species (Carapa procera and the African fan palm (Borassus aethiopium)), which have economic value (oils), with the goal of promoting future income-generating activities through conservation.

The choice of tree species that bear fruit only after 10 years reflects a strong commitment to conservation and the restoration of degraded forest areas—activities that, in themselves, generate income. This strategy offers a significant opportunity for communities to restore forests and protect biodiversity. For instance, one liter of Carapa procera oil is sold locally for 10,000 francs by women producers in the region, providing a meaningful boost to their direct incomes.

At the same time, the team has been working on governance (strengthening local management committees), knowledge-sharing (improving understanding of local biodiversity and threats), and environmental education. The strong engagement of local communities is a promising sign for conservation, and the next step will be to officially recognize the area as a community-protected area!