Posted on March, 27 2002

Niger River, Niger - Bawa Ousmane Goah steeps low to the ground, frowns, picks up a handful of arid sand, and lets it trickle through his fingers as he reflects: "It's strange because this area is one of the most fertile areas in Niger � but when you talk to local people, they all say it is mismanaged."

"The lack of space for crop cultivation means that farmers encroach upon the space reserved for cattle," he explains. "The cattle farmers in turn often overtake the space reserved for crops. This conflict frequently gets out of hand and people murder each other over it."

Affectionately nicknamed "no confusion", Goah is the first point of call to resolve conflicts and contentious use of land. For the past four years he has been working in Gaya with project PADEL (Programme d'Appui au Developpement Local), assisting local development in the area. He has become bureaucrat, technocrat, and village elder for Gaya's population.

Goah says he wants local people to be given the opportunity to look after their most valuable resource. "The Niger River is 4,200km long, with 500km crossing into Niger." Millions of people depend on the region's natural resources, which in turn depend on the river, for fishing, grazing land, crops, and building materials. "Protection of the Niger River is more than a necessity, it's a duty," he says.

One way of taking matters into their own hands has been locals' efforts to get rid of the invasive water hyacinth. The delicate pale lilac bloom belies its true nature. Set atop a bulbous root, it is staggeringly prolific and able to reproduce by simply dividing itself. Dense green mats of hyacinth absorb oxygen, starve the fish below the surface, and stifle waterways.

"The hyacinth blocks the passage of boats and people who need to travel from Nigeria to buy petrol, food, and construction materials," explains Goah. "We tried using insects against the plant, but it wasn't enough. The only thing we can do is engage in a physical fight, to get people to literally drag it out of the water."

Goah also tries to stop people fighting, often physically, over access to natural resources. One simple system initiated by PADEL to avoid land ownership misunderstandings is the creation of corridors. "We have shown communities how to divide their land into corridors so that cattle can graze in one area and crops can grow safely in another. We need to mark up 54 corridors that stretch over 700km before the work is complete. We've already completed work across 243km. 480km left. And that's how we resolve conflict!"

Other issues are also now being solved on a local basis � a novel concept in a country accustomed to central state control. The fishing village of Albarkaize for example, which supports over 2000 inhabitants, has regulated its fishing since 1994.

"Most years, from August onwards there are real difficulties and a lack of food," says Goah. "As a solution they have decided that during June and July, people can fish. The rest of the year, the fish are left to reproduce in the best conditions and villagers can fish from the small pools of water isolated from the river's main course. People learn that there are forms of exploitation of natural resources that can be sustainable."

Fish caught in June and July now often reach the size of a small child. Regulation of hunting and fishing has also helped between 25,000 to 30,000 birds to return each year to Albarkaize. It's a slow process but Goah hopes the idea of community resource management will spread throughout Niger.

And for this he has help from an unusual source � genies. Goah comes from L'Areoua, one of the most traditional "fetish" regions of Niger where people practise a form of animism. Generally speaking, this is a belief that natural processes and objects possess a soul.

Genies are divided into three classifications � from the earth, forest, and water � and are the protectors of the village. Before a new village can be constructed, the genies need to be contacted to see if they are in agreement. Genies can live in the forests, rocks, trees, and water. In fact, any place where people believe a genie lives becomes sacred.

Goah explains one case of a link between resources and genies. "During the fishing festival, on 18 June in Albarkaize, fishing communities carry out traditional rites and sacrifices. The "chief of water" must enter the river first. He implores the "water genies" to grant them favour and sanctify a successful festival. As a contribution, we provided the sacrifices for the community."

"It's essential to consider that traditional culture and beliefs have their place and modernity has its place," says Goah. "You must know how to work with them side by side. The genies exist with their strengths and their limits. Science also has strengths and limits. Neither one is better. I use both to help construct the river�s future."

(828 words)

*Joanna Benn is WWF Producer for Television & Film in Gland, Switzerland