Reforming land tenure and restoring peasants' rights: Some basic conditions for reversing environmental degradation in the Sahel

Abstract

This paper analyses the state of environmental degradation in the Sahel, suggesting ways of putting an end to it, in the particular case of Niger. At independence the Sahelian people decided to destroy all traces of the colonial legacy and proceeded to abolish all laws protecting parks, forests, hunting reserves, etc. It is said that such action was politically instigated for it was contrary to the customary behaviour of local peasants who, in the past, had recognized the concepts of rights to and regulation of land and other natural resources. The result has been overexploitation of resources, as peasants feel unsure of a future in an environment where they are dispossessed of their means of existence. To end such 'predatory' behaviour it is recommended that the state introduce legislation and suitable regulations to deal with land-holding and legal, social and technical issues. Such a policy should include environmental education, popular education, control over water resources, anti-erosion and reafforestation campaigns, and restricted access to certain areas to encourage reforestation of resources. The return of land rights is also seen as a crucial part of such an environmental policy, so that each rural family can develop its own land in line with the requirements of national policy, and be assured that it will not be expropriated without fair compensation. (CAB Abstract)