Community governance and management of natural resources in South Benin

The Sitatunga Valley Community Natural Park (PNCVS, 15,000 ha), located about 30 km from Cotonou, is home to a rich biodiversity with 193 species of birds, 51 species of reptiles, 400 species of plants and 47 species of mammals including , of course, the Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii, EN). This community resource management initiative, piloted by CREDI-ONG since 2007, has made it possible to set up a management structure: the Territorial Park Management Committee (CTGP) which involves local elected officials and representatives of the National Management Center. Wildlife Reserves (CENAGREF) and the Ministry in charge of the Living Environment and Sustainable Development as well as local populations and in particular hunters who remain a threat to Sitatunga despite its status as a protected species.

Although being a protected area, the PNCVS currently only enjoys a low level of official recognition (municipal level) and is not spared from threats linked to population expansion (overexploitation of its natural resources) and activities harmful to the environment (illegal extractions and logging).

This project aims to consolidate the existence of the Sitatunga Valley by improving the efficiency of management and governance of natural resources in the area as well as to extend the community management initiative to wetlands in South Benin ( the Ouémé and Mono basins), thanks to co-financing from IUCN Netherlands, to become a protected area of ​​67,000 ha.