Natural areas and national parks
Senegal has 7 national parks (two of which are closed) and nature reserves to protect the country's various ecosystems. They are also ideal places to observe flora and fauna.
Niokolo-Koba National Park: located in the Tambacounda region, this park is crossed by the Gambia River and its tributaries. A former hunting reserve, successively enlarged, it protects the ecosystems of the Sudanian bioclimatic zone: wooded savannahs, dry forests and riparian forests. It is home to numerous animal species (hippos, crocodiles, elephants, Derby elands, lions, birds, etc.) and over 1,500 plant species. Listed since 2017 on the
Unesco's World Heritage in Danger list due to poaching, fires, premature draining of ponds, use of land for agricultural practices and cattle roaming, it was removed in July 2024 by the UN body, which deemed that the park was no longer threatened with extinction, praising the efforts of the Senegalese state.
Djoudj National Bird Park: located in the Senegal delta, it is a RAMSAR site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A veritable sanctuary for birds, particularly migratory birds, it is home to the world's third-largest ornithological reserve. Some 350 species of migratory birds can be found here. The park can be explored by pirogue.
Langue de Barbarie National Park: just a stone's throw from Saint-Louis in Senegal, this park comprises not only a sandy "tongue" or dune belt, but also wetlands around the Senegal River. It can also be discovered by boat, and is home to many migratory birds.
The Saloum Delta National Park: this includes a large part of the Saloum River delta, and protects mangrove ecosystems, tropical maritime marshes (tan), coastal areas and wooded savannah. A RAMSAR site for its wetlands, the park is home to mammals (hyenas, monkeys, dolphins) and numerous fish and birds.
Parc national des îles de la Madeleine: located off the coast of Dakar, this archipelago of volcanic islands is a sanctuary for birds, reptiles and endemic flora. It is currently closed to the public.
Basse-Casamance National Park: located in the Ziguinchor region, this park has been closed for several years following a conflict in which mines were laid on its territory.
A country subject to multiple pollution
The environment is becoming an increasingly important topic in the country, particularly the question of pollution linked to human activities. Now that the country has equipped itself with measuring stations, it can quantify its air quality in a more substantiated way, and in particular the level of fine particles. The latter is very high in the capital, sometimes reaching levels 7 times higher than the threshold values recommended by the WHO. The causes of air pollution are manifold: a fleet of outdated, high-emission vehicles, heavy urban traffic, waste burning and open-air combustion, deforestation, and dust blown in by the Sahara wind. Among the solutions being put in place to reduce atmospheric emissions is the Dakar regional express train, the first fast train in French-speaking West Africa, due to open in 2019. Former President Macky Sall had also promised "zero tolerance" for polluting vehicles, without actually implementing any concrete measures. In addition, filtration systems are often non-existent or faulty, and most combustion (heating, waste burning) takes place in open hearths. Water purification remains a concern: wastewater is often discharged into the natural environment untreated, due to a lack of treatment facilities. It's worth noting that the authorities have taken action against plastics. A 2015 law bans lightweight plastic bags and charges for thicker ones: a regulation that aims to both reduce and reuse plastic. Local initiatives are also underway, including awareness-raising campaigns. Associations, fishermen and schools join forces to organize coastal clean-ups and recover abandoned fishing nets.
Restoration of environments and the fight against deforestation
Deforestation is one of the evils that plague the country. It degrades natural environments, destroys and erodes soils, and contributes to the desertification of certain regions. The Casamance region is particularly affected by the illegal exploitation of precious wood. Between 2005 and 2010, it is estimated that deforestation represented the area of 150 soccer fields per day. Actions carried out by the Océanium of Dakar, an association founded by the great environmentalist Haïdar El Ali, allowed the replanting of 150 million mangrove trees in 2006 in the mangroves of the Saloum and Casamance rivers.
The Great Green Wall
This pan-African project was launched in 2007. Its aim is to combat desertification and restore Sahelian ecosystems. Crossing the continent from east to west on a strip 15 km wide and 7,600 km long (including 535 km in Senegal), this great wall is dedicated to projects such as tree planting, setting up community gardens, fencing to prevent overgrazing, and so on. However, the project is struggling to achieve its objectives, with 65,000 hectares reforested in Senegal out of the 850,000 planned. Difficulties include water supply and cattle roaming.
Towards agro-ecological transition
Senegal has embarked on an agro-ecological transition process to develop a resilient and productive agriculture. This approach is intended to be inclusive and to encourage emulation in West Africa. The country is working with the FAO, but also with the Economic Community of West African States. It is also involved in a "Support project for women in agriculture and sustainable development". Senegal also relies on public-private partnerships and the creativity of its entrepreneurs. A local start-up has developed an application that allows farmers to start and stop their watering remotely, avoiding long journeys and fuel consumption.
