Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR)

Topic: Climate Action

Senegal

Sustainable Livelihoods

Climate Action

Co-financing

PROBLEM & SOLUTION

Senegal has initiated many reforestation programmes which, in the end, have not produced the expected results. Indeed, these reforestation programmes were initially conceived as responses to the phenomenon of environmental degradation of natural resources and the disappearance or rarefaction of certain forest and animal species (wild boars, monkeys, hares, guinea fowl, hyenas, etc.).

Despite the persistence of such programmes, the population continues to suffer the effects of the deterioration of ecosystems, thus affecting agricultural production, the environnent and the atmosphere.

The solution was the use of Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR). This practice consists of cutting off the lateral branches to keep only the main stems of the protected subject. It allows a better allocation of nutrients to the retained stems, thus boosting their growth.

The experience

To implement this strategy, it was necessary to inform and sensitise the actors. Two important stages were followed:

The reflection phase: A workshop was organised to provoke a reflection with the representatives of the Penc (representatives of civil society at the commune level) on the degradation of natural resources and the strategies for adapting to climate change. The ANR strategy was presented in a schematic way. Subsequently, Penc undertook sensitisation activities at community level to facilitate the identification of ten farmers in each Commune for the pilot phase. A training workshop was then organised for these farmers.
The implementation phase: The practice in this phase consists of: Locating and selecting the shoots of the species to be protected; Cutting the unselected shoots; Maintenance and pruning of the selected shoots each year, Reasoned cutting of the branches from the regenerated trees according to the species and the needs (fodder, wood, organic matter, etc.).

01

Challenges

01

Deviant uses because protected areas are often perceived as places of refuge for thieves
The return of some animal species is not always positive
The persistence of anthropic actions (bush fires, presence of herders, fraudulent cutting, etc.)
Socio-climatic conflicts between indigenous people and herders

02

Impact

02

Improving soil fertility
Restoration of floral diversity
Reduction of water and wind erosion
Increased availability of firewood
Reducing the carbon footprint.

03

Lessons Learned

03

ANR is a very cost and time efficient strategy compared to active reforestation (planting)
ANR can accelerate ecosystem restoration processes with a survival rate of over 95%.
To be successful, innovation in a community must be supported by the actors involved

Realisation period 2016 - 2021

Location Nioro du Rip, Senegal

Contact Malick Ba

Partner organisation - Symbiose Sénégal

Symbiose supports and assists grassroots communities in achieving sustainable development. Its staff has a wealth of experience and is made up of sociologists, educational mediators, community organisers, agronomy technicians and finance technicians.