KOU FOREST AND SITE OF THE GUINGUETTE

The best way to get there from Bobo is through the airport on the road from Dinderesso to university. At about 12 km, after the roundabout, take the first left and continue the paved road straight up to the main entrance of the forest. For the Baignade bathing area, continue straight after the roundabout on 3 km (entrance and parking fee). Both sites offer catering and beverages. During winter, torrential rains prohibit access to sites. It is possible to meet the Yanta Women's Union by contacting the guides. A difficult track allows you to reach Koumi directly at the forest of Kou (direction Séminaire) when you come from Orodara. In the context of decentralization and participatory management, Kou's forest, site of the Guinguette (main source feeding Bobo-Dioulasso in drinking water), was classified in 2002. The forest classification prohibits bathing (first factor in water pollution and river destruction) and forest exploitation (impoverishment of vegetation cover). For bathing, a site has been tastefully furnished in Dinderesso (sandy beaches and sandy banks). The cessation of the old forest-based logging, the Yanta Women's Union («Moving Forward»), supported technically and financially by the BKF project, benefits from alternative income-generating activities. The main activity is now the exploitation of 600 hectares of cashew of the classified Forêt forest and the transformation of cajou'organic'nuts. The payment of the site's entrance provides a background for the maintenance and protection of the site and the remuneration of the villagers of Nasso (depending on the forest) and the guides. It is, in fact, a reliquat of the primary forest characterized by its dense vegetation cover of forest-gallery, which is not without thinking of the equatorial forest. The 115 hectares of this sacred forest are completely closed. Several walking paths have been created and an explanatory statement at the foot of each plant essence makes it possible to realize not only the great arboreal diversity but the role of each of these species. A small museum, in the form of Bobo habitation, is located at the entrance to the forest, explaining the traditional life of the villagers of Nasso (objects, musical instruments and agricultural instruments). Attention, on weekends, there are many people.