Conservation of water resources and imporvement of biodiversity in Darkoye lake

The project is concerned with the protecting and restoring of Lake Darkoye ecosystem, the second largest lake (1200 ha) after Lake Oursi in Burkina Faso. The lake is surrounded by open steppe, to the west of the town of Markoye. Threats to this lake include increased human pressure, overstocking of livestock, bush fires, overfishing, fuel wood harvesting. In particular the degradation of livestock fodder notably the Borgou Echinocloa stagnina E. To that aim the project focuses on development of a participatory agreement regulating access and the use of the bourgou, and the structural organisation and capacity of the local communities. In addition restoration through planting of bourgou (40 ha) and of tree planting on the borders of the lake will be carried out.