Salamatou Abdourahamane Illiassou (ELP 2021) | Lecturer/Researcher, Université de Diffa. Niger, Niger
On August 3rd , 1960, Niger became independent with approximately 2.5 million inhabitants. This proclamation was made in the wake of several other African states, members of the French community, which also achieved their independence in 1960. Diori Hamani, already the head of the state and government, became the first president of Niger on November 11th , 1960. Henceforth, each year, August 3rd has been used to commemorate the independence of the Republic of Niger.
Niger, a vast country of 1,267,000 km², 3/4 of which is desert, has a population of more than 25,000,000 inhabitants (80% rural, 20% urban) in 2021 with the highest natality rate in the world (7 children per woman on average) and a strong population growth rate of 3.9% (RGPH / 2011; INS, 2021). It is a Sahelian country in the grip of climate change, with its corollary effects such as high rainfall variability, desertification and recurrent droughts, and extreme phenomena such as floods. Each year, there is a loss of about 200,000 ha of forest and its greatest vulnerability concern is food insecurity due to recurrent droughts, heavy dependence on rain-fed agricultural crops and livestock, high vulnerability of production systems to climatic hazards, and rapid population growth with high pressure on the environment. In the medium and long term, the degradation of natural resources, population growth, and climate change pose serious challenges to the country's food security, as the needs of this growing population increases. For instance, the cereal production necessary to cover the needs of the population has increased from around 3 million tonnes in 2005 to 4.2 million in 2015 and would be more than 13 million tonnes in 2050 (statistical services / MAG / EL). Indeed, the problems of desertification and degradation of natural resources are acute in Niger.
To address these recurring environmental problems Niger has established several national initiatives including the Tree Festival or arbor day, one of the oldest which was established on our Independence Day. In fact, since 1975, in addition to celebrating the independence of the country, Nigeriens have also celebrated arbor day, a great day for environmental activities. Indeed, it should be an opportunity for all Nigeriens to plant trees to sustainably preserve the country's ecosystem by restoring land and thus fighting against desertification. Several thousand trees are planted each year throughout Niger's national territory. These tree planting activities can be done either individually, i.e. each citizen can decide to plant a tree in their house, their garden or their field (Picture 1), or collectively with family, friends, or in association with organizations (NGOs, state services, or environmental activists,….) (Picture 2)
Usually, the President of the Republic chooses a locality to launch this operation by planting their tree, then they are followed in this gesture by other personalities and administrative authorities including the President of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, the governors, etc. It gives the opportunity for officials to create a plantation called "woods of August 3rd" throughout the country, and all over Niger, people are called on by the authorities to plant trees. Nevertheless, during each arbor day, there is also a theme selected in order to sensitize and raise awareness among the population about specific environmental issues. In 2016 for example, the theme was '' Let's mobilize and change our behavior for a sustainable management of our natural resources ''. For the year 2020 it was "Investing in the restoration of our forest heritage is investing in the future", and this year, 2021, the chosen theme was " Let's develop Moringa to improve the local economy ".
Picture 2: Group Tree Planting activities, launched by (Left) the president of the Niger republic, Bazoum Mohamed (Photo by Abdoul Aziz Moussa, envoyé spécial https://nigerinter.com/2021/08/fete-de-larbre-le-president-bazoum-a-lance-la-campagne-du-reboisement-a-zinder-en-presence-du-chef-de/and (Right) the rector of the University of Diffa (Photos by Ismael Bio).
Several activities are added to this tree planting day, there is the award ceremony for the winners of the national competition on the fight against desertification and the planting of trees and other events as part of the celebration of our country's independence.
What a beautiful day we celebrate every year !!! If, from an early age, we continue to instil this tradition in our children, there is no doubt that within a few years, we could overcome the challenges linked to desertification, food insecurity, and climate change and with trees as weapons we could achieve several SDGs (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Levels of tree contribution to the SDG
However, this is not easy because planting a tree does not guarantee its survival. Several plantations, or “woods of August 3rd”, are being destroyed because they are not well protected. In the face of urbanization and expansion of agriculture, it is important to integrate these tree plantations in the urban management plans and other policies in order to avoid the upcoming issues.
When planting a tree we must secure it and protect it so that it has the chance to offer us its services and help us achieve the sustainable development goals and our sustainable independence.