African savanna illustrating conservation and pastoralism.

The Paradox of Parks: Balancing Conservation and Traditional Life in West Africa

Soraya Malik in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring the complex relationship between pastoral communities and protected areas in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Benin."

Across the Sahel-Sudan region of Africa, tensions often run high between pastoral communities and the protected areas established to conserve biodiversity. What should be safe havens for wildlife and natural resources frequently become zones of conflict, marked by illegal grazing, unauthorized fires, and deforestation on one side, and forceful evictions, fines, and arrests of herders on the other.

Historically, conservation efforts primarily targeted farmers and poachers. However, today, pastoralists are increasingly seen as the main threat to classified forests, reserves, and national parks. This shift is especially perplexing given that these communities are often the most knowledgeable about the natural environment and have traditionally lived in close harmony with it.

This article delves into the apparent paradox: How did practitioners of traditional ecological stewardship become perceived as adversaries of nature conservation? We will explore this question through the case study of Parc du W, a protected area spanning Niger, Burkina Faso, and Benin, examining the historical, social, and political factors that have shaped this complex dynamic.

The Emergence of Transhumance Towards Parc du W

African savanna illustrating conservation and pastoralism.

Unlike many protected areas in the Sahel, Parc du W wasn't historically a central part of major pastoral routes. However, the park's resources have become increasingly important for seasonal transhumance, offering crucial grazing during the dry season. Even though this use is only seasonal, it's vital for the pastoral systems that depend on it. These systems are carefully balanced, and disrupting even one element can threaten the entire way of life.

Historians debate whether the establishment of Parc du W predates the practice of transhumance in the region. Historian M. Benoit suggests that the area was largely an unpopulated "wild space" for centuries. Colonial rule brought greater stability, leading to increased settlement and activities, including both agriculture and livestock raising. A pastoral area emerged north of the Park, but it didn't initially involve seasonal movement. According to Benoit, there were no cattle south of Torodi in 1926, when Parc du W was created, suggesting that herders have no historical claim to the park's savannas.

However, this argument is challenged by several factors:

For many years, the park existed in theory only. Local people were unaware of restrictions on access and use.
Enforcement of the park through village evictions only began in the 1950s.
Transhumant herders likely became aware of the park even later than settled villagers.
Pastoral societies don't typically think of land in terms of ownership or control.

Political and social changes during the late colonial period led to increased livestock populations north of Parc du W, making the savannas more suitable for cattle. By the 1950s, herds from eastern Burkina Faso were migrating as far as the Tapoa River, which marks the park's northern boundary. Thus, the establishment of the park and the first incursions by transhumant herders likely occurred around the same time.

Finding a Path Forward

The relationship between pastoral communities and Parc du W is a microcosm of the broader challenges of balancing conservation and human livelihoods. Finding solutions requires acknowledging the complex historical, social, and ecological factors at play. By fostering dialogue, respecting traditional knowledge, and promoting sustainable development in the park's periphery, it may be possible to reconcile the needs of both people and nature, creating a future where conservation and pastoralism can coexist.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3917/autr.060.0055, Alternate LINK

Title: Logiques Pastorales Et De Conservation De La Nature : Les Transhumances Et Le Parc Du W (Niger, Burkina Faso, Bénin)

Journal: Autrepart

Publisher: CAIRN

Authors: Boureima Amadou, Jean Boutrais

Published: 2012-04-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why are pastoralists now seen as a major threat to conservation areas like Parc du W, despite their traditional ecological knowledge?

Conservation efforts in the Sahel-Sudan region historically targeted farmers and poachers. However, there's been a shift, with pastoralists increasingly viewed as the main threat to areas like classified forests, reserves, and national parks. This is despite these communities often possessing deep knowledge of the natural environment and having traditionally lived in harmony with it. This perspective clash contributes to the tensions surrounding Parc du W.

What is M. Benoit's historical perspective on land use around Parc du W before its establishment, and how does it relate to pastoral claims?

Historian M. Benoit suggests that the area of Parc du W was largely an unpopulated "wild space" for centuries. According to Benoit, there were no cattle south of Torodi in 1926, when Parc du W was created, suggesting that herders have no historical claim to the park's savannas. Colonial rule brought stability, leading to increased settlement and activities, including both agriculture and livestock raising. However, this view is debated, as the park existed in theory for many years, with enforcement and evictions beginning later.

How did seasonal transhumance practices evolve in relation to the establishment and enforcement of Parc du W?

Transhumance toward Parc du W became increasingly important as the park's resources offered crucial grazing during the dry season. By the 1950s, herds from eastern Burkina Faso were migrating as far as the Tapoa River, which marks the park's northern boundary. The rise of transhumance coincides roughly with the formal establishment and initial enforcement of Parc du W, setting the stage for the conflicts that followed.

What strategies might help reconcile the needs of pastoral communities and conservation efforts in areas like Parc du W?

Finding a path forward involves acknowledging the historical, social, and ecological factors at play between pastoral communities and Parc du W. Solutions may be found through fostering dialogue, respecting traditional knowledge, and promoting sustainable development in the park's periphery. These actions could potentially reconcile the needs of both people and nature, allowing conservation and pastoralism to coexist.

What broader issues are exemplified by the conflicts between pastoral communities and conservation efforts around Parc du W?

The complex relationship between pastoral communities and Parc du W illustrates a broader challenge of balancing conservation and human livelihoods. The situation highlights the need to understand the historical context, including colonial influences and shifts in land use, as well as the social and political factors that have shaped the dynamic between conservation efforts and traditional pastoral practices.