COGEZOH

• wetland management

• biodiversity conservation

• organising and supporting rural populations (farmers, herders, fishers) for sound, sustainable wetland use

• creating a rural consultation framework to harmonise different wetland uses

• resolving conflicts arising from wetland and biodiversity exploitation; involving and empowering rural communities in wetland and biodiversity management

• implementing and monitoring Niger’s ratified wetland and biodiversity agreements (Bonn Convention, Ramsar, CMS, etc.)

• taking part in environmental impact assessments for projects affecting wetlands.

The late 1990s saw growing collective awareness of the widespread degradation of wetlands and the crucial role they play in ecosystem balance. This prompted young foresters to create COGEZOH in 2000, to support restoration and preservation efforts across Niger’s key wetlands – the Niger River, Lake Chad, W Park and its major waterways, and all upstream areas with a direct or indirect influence on them – most of which have since been designated biodiversity conservation protected areas.