Guardian of the Niger River - Karimama and Malanville in the Alibori Department of the Republic of Benin

The “Guardian of the Niger River-Karimama and Malanville” project, led by ADDC (Action for Sustainable Community Development), aims to establish an integrated community system for monitoring, protecting, and promoting the Niger River in the municipalities of Karimama and Malanville in the Republic of Benin. Faced with the growing challenges of pollution, riverbank degradation, and overexploitation of resources, this initiative focuses on three main areas:

1. The creation of ecological anti-pollution barriers using nature-based solutions to filter pollutants and protect riverbanks from erosion.

2. The establishment of a network of local sentinels made up of residents trained in environmental monitoring, water quality data collection, and community awareness.

3. The development of sustainable economic activities such as ecotourism and responsible fish farming, enabling local communities to reap economic benefits from the preservation of the river.

This holistic approach promotes local ownership of Niger River conservation issues while contributing to the economic development of riverside communities. By directly involving local populations in the management and protection of their shared natural resource, the project aims to create an innovative and replicable model of community-based river governance.