BlueInvest Africa 2024

The Diawling National Park in Mauritania is preparing for ambitious development thanks to the European Reboot-Med project, which aims to relaunch sustainable tourism in the post-pandemic period. The project is part of an overall blue economy strategy for the sustainable management of natural resources and the economic development of local communities.

Created in 1991, the Diawling National Park covers 16,000 hectares with a buffer zone of 50,000 hectares. It is located in the lower delta of the Senegal River, close to the Senegalese border, and protects a complex ecosystem comprising marine, fluvial and wetland areas. It is renowned for its rich biodiversity, with over 300 species of birds and three types of aquatic fauna (sea water, brackish water and freshwater). 

Set up to offset the effects of the Diama dam, the Diawling national park is also classified as a Ramsar site (a wetland protected under the Ramsar Convention) and benefits from the support of various international organisations, notably for the restoration of mangroves, which are essential for conserving local biodiversity and protecting against coastal erosion.

While the central area is entirely wild, the buffer zone is home to a population of over 6,500 people living in coastal villages. These rural communities exploit the local natural resources through fishing, livestock farming, market gardening and handicrafts. Based on these activities, the inhabitants are organised into four trade unions through which they participate in the park's projects and initiatives.

The park has been recognised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for its innovative practices in the restoration and sustainable management of ecosystems and biodiversity. The FAO praised its efforts to restore wetlands and support local communities through sustainable fishing and farming initiatives, such as the development of rice farming.

In 2022, a park that was already firmly rooted in the local sustainable development dynamic entered the Reboot-Med project. Funded by the European Union, this project aims to revitalise coastal and maritime tourism in a sustainable way, in several countries of the western Mediterranean and in Mauritania. 

Reboot-Med focuses on creating new eco-tourism routes, promoting inter-regional connectivity and supporting local communities to develop economic activities in harmony with the environment. The Diawling National Park is one of the key sites for this project in Mauritania.

As part of Reboot-Med, the Diawling National Park is developing an ecotourism strategy. It has created ecotourism circuits, guided bird-watching tours and stays in traditional tents (haimas). Visitors can explore the park's natural riches, interact with local communities and learn about their craft and farming practices.

This development makes it possible to envisage the creation of permanent visitor facilities, while respecting strict environmental standards. This will be done in partnership with a private investor already active in sport fishing and warthog hunting. The park also plans to provide training for local young people to get them involved in conservation and sustainable tourism projects, thereby creating green jobs.

From an economic point of view, the objectives are clearly defined: to attract tourists, particularly those visiting northern Senegal, diversify the local economy and combat the rural exodus, as part of an integrated development model that benefits both biodiversity conservation and the well-being of local communities.

“The Diawling National Park is a veritable oasis of biodiversity," explains Daf Ould Sehla Ould Daf, the park's director. “Thanks to Reboot-Med, we have the opportunity to develop sustainable tourism that not only protects our environment but also supports our local communities. Our ambition is to transform the Diawling into a model of ecological management and economic development that contributes to that of the entire sub-region. We want every visitor to leave with a deeper understanding of the value of mangrove ecosystems and the crucial role they play in the fight to conserve biodiversity and combat climate change."

Through its participation in projects such as Reboot-Med, the Diawling National Park is positioning itself as a key player in the sustainable development of the region, offering an exemplary model of ecosystem management and the promotion of eco-tourism.

For further information

Diawling National Park: https://www.pnd.mr/  

Reboot-Med: https://rebootmed.eu