Banco National Park (BNP)

Description

The ecosystem of the Banco National Park (BNP) has undergone profound changes in recent decades. In the years 1955, land use in the park and its periphery showed that the landscape was dominated by forest despite the presence of some urban stains. The dense forest delineated on the maps covered an area of 5462 ha while the secondary forest occupied an area of 9220 ha. Three decades later in 1998, 3,450 ha of forest and 434 ha of forest plantations constitute the vegetation of the BNP. This regressive dynamic is due to the horizontal spatial extension of Abidjan which consumes peri-urban forest areas, especially on its western front where the BNP is located. This rapid expansion of urban space poses environmental problems, particularly pollution, the intensity of which varies in relation to the types of locality and the dominant activities of the local population. In fact, the park is bordered to the north and south by ancient villages of the "Ebrié and Attié" ethnic groups with many sources of pollution that come from domestic waste and economic activities. Local residents discharge household waste and water from septic tanks directly into the park. This is the case in Adjamé, Andokoi and Abobo where discharges of this type are significant. In addition, many areas of the BNP are subject to land claims, notably the northeast and south of the park. These contested areas are correlated with the types of riparian localities, in particular the villages of Anonkoua Kouté and Sagbé in the north, Agban-attié and Agban-village in the south-east, and Andokoi in the south-west. These areas are also exploited by the villagers, in particular to collect firewood, traditional and culinary plants. Land pressures are most intense in the north-east of the park where the locals openly claim a piece of land that is an integral part of the BNP and isolated by the passage of high voltage power lines inside the park. According to its managers, the future of the GNP depends on the participation of all in its protection. Even if the recent socio-political situation has slowed down this new dynamic, the action of public authorities and international NGOs which show a growing interest in the protection of Ivorian national parks is an essential marker for the protection of areas. protected in Ivory Coast.

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