Located in south-western Benin, within Ramsar site 1018, Lake Nokoué covers an area of around 180 km² and is home to significant birdlife: 168 bird species have been recorded, including large populations of herons, terns, kingfishers and ducks. Intensive fishing and deforestation of the shoreline place strong pressure on the lake, while illegal hunting poses a serious threat to bird populations.
The NGO BEES, established in 2005, works on wetland rehabilitation and the development of ecotourism activities with technical support from AEWA-UNEP.
The project’s objective, which covers around ten villages, is the enhancement and sustainable development of Lake Nokoué. It focuses on developing birdwatching-based ecotourism, leveraging the proximity of the Ganvié tourist site, while ensuring the conservation of the birds that live on the lake.
• Initiate and develop birdwatching circuits and carry out infrastructure enhancing natural resources in general, and specifically the birds of Lake Nokoué;
• Initiate and boost the promotion of birdwatching circuits;
• Establish, with the technical support of AEWA-UNEP, the Ramsar Secretariat, the Wetland Link International network, and the General Directorate of Forests and Natural Resources, a permanent communication programme and support activities for ornithology.
