Forestry codes in the Sahel region of West Africa have a tremendous impact on how protected indigenous tree species are used and managed.

In a newly published occasional paper, scientists from the World Agroforestry Centre draw on case studies from Mali, Niger and Senegal to show how a lack of recognition of tenure and use rights has led to a disconnect between the intention of policies to protect species and the reality on the ground.

The publication also highlights how lack of enforcement and poor consideration of socio-economic criteria weakens the effectiveness of existing policies.

The sustainability of agroforestry systems in the Sahel is assessed in the publication and key stakeholders involved in tree use and conservation are identified.

The authors recommend a participatory approach be taken to forest policy reform which focuses on greater sustainability as well as implementing forest policies that relate specifically to agroforestry. They believe the area covered by agencies responsible for forest policies and tenure should be expanded and joint forest management and on-farm tree conservation strengthened.

Download the paper: How do forestry codes affect access, use and management of protected indigenous tree species - evidence from West African Sahel