- Forests
Our actions to conserve the forests of the Comoros
By 2027, Dahari's goal is to conserve and restore a third of Anjouan's forests by signing conservation agreements with 1000 farmers. At the same time, we are developing a second intervention zone around the forest of Grille to Grande Comore.
Comoros has experienced one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world over the past 30 years. As a result, only ten rivers on the island of Anjouan still flow continuously, compared to 50 around 40 years ago.
Deforestation also leads to severe erosion, which reduces agricultural productivity and leads to reef siltation. This situation stems in part from inequalities in land distribution at the time of independence, which forced the most disadvantaged populations to adopt unsustainable farming practices. Subsequently, pressure on the forest intensified due to heavy reliance on agriculture, widespread poverty and rapid population growth.
The Dahari Forests Program has been developing since 2020, notably with the support of academics from Bangor and Oxford Universities.
Dahari's approach is innovative for the Comoros and complementary to the establishment of'protected areas. The idea is to sign agreements with farmers owning land in the highlands to fallow and regenerate the forest. These farmers receive regular cash payments in return. The aim is to secure water resources while preserving endemic biodiversity.
With the support of:
Our key results between 2013 and 2023
Livingstone roost sites
conserved since 2015 as a pilot phase of the approach
high resolution aerial mapping (by drone) of the forest landscape of Moya
More than 200 farmers
involved in the development of the approach since 2020
Land tenure study carried out to
support the approach
staff trained to support the implementation of the approach
study reports available on the context of La Grille
Our approach to forest conservation agreements
- Our forest program intervention areas