Brigadier General Mahamadou Ibrahim Bagadoma inaugurated the campaign launched to create firebreaks against forest fires in the region.
The project is being implemented with financial support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Diffa.
Measures Against Forest Fires
In the Diffa region, particularly in pastoral areas, dense herbaceous vegetation following good rainy seasons makes the area vulnerable to fires. With the influence of Harmattan winds, these fires spread across large areas, causing significant losses.
Examples:
In 2022: 10,390 hectares of vegetation were destroyed.
In 2023: 6,009 hectares of pastures were lost.
In 2024: As of November 19, 31,630 hectares have burned, with 30 fire incidents recorded.
Governor Bagadoma emphasized that the situation is becoming even more concerning with the onset of the cold season. He stressed the importance of creating firebreaks 15 to 20 meters wide as a key measure to counter these threats.
The project aims to establish 660 km of firebreaks in the departments of Diffa, Goudoumaria, and Mainé Soroa. In this context:
682 households will be supported.
Economic assistance of 56,750,000 FCFA (West African CFA Franc) will be provided.
Temporary job opportunities will be created to improve the economic conditions of local communities.
The governor stated that the project not only aims to protect natural resources but also to combat poverty within communities.
Under the leadership of President Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani, the government has launched various initiatives to preserve land resources. The project also receives active support from ICRC Diffa and other development partners.
During the ceremony, the governor conducted awareness campaigns among local communities on:
The importance of peaceful coexistence.
Children’s education.
Improving access to healthcare services.
The firebreak creation project goes beyond environmental protection by also aiming to enhance social welfare. This initiative represents a decisive step towards preserving natural resources in the Diffa region and plays a vital role in securing the livelihoods of communities.
