Since July 2021, Dahari has been working with the Comoros National Parks Agency to intensify biodiversity conservation efforts in the Comoros. In an effort to harmonise the actions of both institutions, Dahari has committed to training park eco-guards on its reforestation approach. With the support of specialists from the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) based in Nairobi, we developed the approach by drawing on the local knowledge of Anjouan farmers and the available scientific knowledge on trees. From 2022 to 2023, The Australian Embassy finance these training courses as well as the 2022 reforestation campaign.

What to know about the reforestation approach promoted by Dahari

Dahari's reforestation approach is participatory and community-based. Since 2017, Dahari has launched its reforestation approach by working with farmers to collectively establish a list of tree species to plant that will benefit both individuals and the environment.

To pre-select and validate the tree species to be planted in the nurseries, Dahari organises participatory selection workshops with farmers from the different villages in the reforestation programme. During the sessions, Dahari technicians share visual tools such as card games depicting trees with the products and services they can offer. This system fosters exchanges between farmers and our technicians on the diversity of trees and their multiple benefits.

The involvement of farmers in tree selection ensures that these trees will be suited to their individual daily needs (firewood, construction, food, fodder...) as well as providing ecosystem services (water regulation, biodiversity conservation, soil conservation...).

12 park rangers trained in the participatory approach to reforestation

In 2022, Dahari organised two workshops on the reforestation approach with the Comoros National Parks Agency. Participants closely followed the theory and practice on decision-making support, allowing for specific farmer needs to be taken into account regarding tree choices, with the aid of visual tools.

Raydine Attoumane, an eco-guard for the National Network of Protected Areas of the Comoros (RNAP), participated in training on Dahari's reforestation approach and is delighted by the highly participatory quality of the approach, which is well-suited to the realities of our context. «Through the training and exchange visits, we have learned techniques and methods on what can be described as a good reforestation approach and nursery plant management. We will continue to seek Dahari's support so that we can gain good skills in the reforestation actions promoted by the RNAP.»

Tree management in nurseries is important for reforestation.

Following theoretical training on the reforestation approach, RNAP agents carried out an exchange visit to the Adda nursery. Raydine Attoumane emphasised that the NGO Dahari has qualified technicians to ensure the implementation of reforestation actions. They are training us on the maintenance and installation of nurseries to ensure the healthy development of young trees.

Following the visit we made to Adda, the park's eco-guards acknowledged that their monitoring is insufficient and that a single watering is not enough to keep the trees alive. Dahari's technicians regularly carry out monitoring in the nurseries to track the evolution of the seedlings, in order to act quickly in case of problems. Furthermore, Dahari uses digital tools such as KOBO Toolkit and Power BI for nursery monitoring, distribution, and post-planting evaluations.

Raydine Attoumane states: «This partnership with Dahari will be very beneficial to us in the future for strengthening our skills in the proper conduct of a reforestation programme as well as in nursery management. This is the start of a good collaboration that will allow us to reinforce synergies and complementarities between the two institutions for sustainable management of the Comoros National Parks.»