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Validation workshop of the Human-Hippopotamus Prevention and Management Plan of the Singrobo-Ahouaty Hydroelectric Development Project
Published on 23 May 2023

The construction and impoundment of the dam will certainly modify wildlife habitats and promote an increase or decrease in the populations of certain wildlife species, including hippopotamuses. Indeed, the presence of hippos is reported both in wildlife survey reports on the project site and regularly by local forestry services in unfortunate incidents with the population. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the impact of the dam on hippos, it has been generally found that the erection of a dam causes major changes to hippo habitats and affects their behavior and relationships with riparian populations. Previous conflicts between hippos and the populations in the project area have occurred, particularly with fishermen and farmers, through the destruction of fishing equipment, crop damage and attacks on people.

This is why the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) of the Singrobo-Ahouaty Hydroelectric Development Project (PAHSA) has included in its second mitigation measure (BAP): "the prevention of human-hippopotamus conflicts", for the sustainable conservation of this endangered species in Côte d'Ivoire: the amphibious hippopotamus.

It is in this context that PAHSA/IHE through its biodiversity coordination organized, on Friday May 19, 2023 at the sub-prefecture of Taabo, a validation workshop of the Plan for the prevention and management of human-hippopotamus conflicts around the future dam reservoir.

This workshop was conducted with the collaboration of the Directorate of Wildlife and Hunting Resources (DFRC) of the Ministry of Water and Forests (MINEF) and was chaired by the prefectural body of the Taabo department. It was attended by about sixty participants from the relevant departmental directorates (MINEF, MIRAH, ANADER, OIPR, etc.), the chiefs of the nine villages impacted by the dam accompanied by the presidents of the youth and women of the said villages, the representatives of the fishermen of the department and the press. The participants proceeded to the critical examination of the document of planning of the actions of prevention of management in order to make it operational and find a consensus around this plan.

This workshop is a follow-up to the field diagnostic mission that was carried out from April 6 to 15, 2021, in 13 localities, including 8 villages in the department of Taabo and 5 villages in the department of Tiassalé (villages with a direct and indirect impact of PAHSA). The objective of the mission was to establish a field diagnosis of the study area, leading to the proposal of a Plan for the prevention and management of human-hippopotamus conflicts. Also, following the development of the draft Plan for the Prevention and Management of Human-Hippopotamus Conflicts, a mission to collect the opinions of relevant stakeholders (administrative authorities and village communities) was carried out from January 5 to 11, 2023, in the areas of direct and indirect impact of the PAHSA between the departments of Taabo and Tiassalé.  

Following the validation of the Plan, a departmental committee, two sub-prefectural committees (Taabo and Pacobo) and nine village committees will be set up for its implementation and monitoring.

Below are the press links related to this workshop:

https://infocentrale.net/2023/05/20/taabo-des-comites-de-prevention-et-de-gestion-de-conflits-hommes-hippopotames-bientot-crees/

https://www.aip.ci/cote-divoire-aip-un-plan-de-prevention-et-de-gestion-des-conflits-homme-hipppoptame-adopte-a-taabosc/

https://www.afrique-sur7.ci/493086-cote-divoire-des-mesures-pour-eviter-des-conflits-entre-hippopotames-et-hommes-a-taabo

 

 


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