Niger: 500 hectares of pastoral land restored in gaya

Gaya, June 5, 2026 — The urban commune of Gaya has launched restoration work on 500 hectares of degraded pastoral land, funded by the Integrated Project for Urban Development and Multisectoral Resilience (PIDUREM). Two symbolic sites—one in Gaya and another in Tara—marked the official start of operations.

Early in the morning, the Prefect of the Gaya department presided over the ceremony, leading the symbolic groundbreaking alongside the commune’s delegate administrator, the prefecture’s secretary general, the representative of the canton chief, the PIDUREM regional coordinator, and their team. Also present were the Deputy Regional Director of the Environment for Dosso, the departmental director of the Environment, representatives of ten partner NGOs, the Tara village chief, and a portion of the local population.

Revitalizing pastoral land for sustainable use

The PIDUREM-funded initiative aims to restore severely degraded pastoral plots, protect soils from erosion, and enhance land capacity for livestock. Key measures include reforestation, installation of hydrological and wind erosion control systems, construction of bypass structures, and rehabilitation of access roads to facilitate pastoral activities and monitoring.

Boosting local resilience and economic opportunities

Officials highlight that these efforts will strengthen community resilience against climate change impacts while safeguarding natural resources. The PIDUREM regional coordinator emphasized that the project will generate temporary employment for nearby residents, providing economic benefits during the implementation phase.

This initiative is part of a broader PIDUREM strategy to combat land degradation, support food security, and reduce conflicts between farmers and herders. Technical and environmental monitoring will ensure the effectiveness of the measures, with adaptive practices implemented based on results.

Direct beneficiaries and NGO involvement

Pastoral households and livestock herders in neighboring villages will directly benefit from restored and secured grazing routes. Partner NGOs will lead awareness campaigns to promote sustainable land management and ensure the upkeep of completed works. Immediate action has already begun, with initial planting and land preparation phases scheduled for the coming weeks. Regular assessments and progress reports will be produced to ensure transparency and guide future fund disbursements from donors.