Project

Mbawaar wetland

Restoring the Mbawaar wetland in the Senegal River delta

The Mbawaar wetland, located in the buffer zone of the Djoudj National Park in Senegal, is a vital ecosystem under increasing pressure from agricultural expansion, soil salinisation, and land degradation. These threats endanger its role as a habitat for resident as well as migratory bird species, like the Black-tailed Godwit.

Under the LIFE IP GrassBirdHabitats framework, we launched the Mbawaar Wetland Rehabilitation Project, led by Nature Communautés Développement (NCD) in collaboration with Université Gaston Berger (UGB). The project aims to restore Mbawaar’s ecological balance while supporting local livelihoods, by creating an integrated wetland and agro-ecosystem model where conservation, sustainable agriculture, and avian biodiversity can coexist.

Aerial view of a large wetland complex with adjacent agricultural parcels and roads.
Aerial view of the Mbawaar wetland, captured in September 2025 at the end of the wet season. Photo: NCD.
Aerial view of a large wetland area. In the bottom left, a water channel flows below a...
Closer aerial view of the Mbawaar wetland, featuring one of the water gates (bottom left) that connect it to the Senegal River. Photo: NCD.

Initial phase (2025–2027): knowledge mobilisation and community engagement

This phase focuses on laying the groundwork for sustainable restoration. By its conclusion, the project will deliver:

  1. Comprehensive baseline data: a detailed understanding of Mbawaar’s physical (topography, hydrology, water chemistry) and biological (fauna, flora, ecosystems) characteristics to guide restoration efforts.
  2. Community buy-in: the project consortium, alongside communities from five neighbouring villages and key local, regional, and national stakeholders, will adopt and support a wetland rehabilitation plan (2027–2030), committing to a long-term collaborative program.
  3. Biodiversity database: a centralised database of all recorded bird species and ecological units to enable data-driven decision-making.

Beyond restoring this critical wetland, the project will:

  • Empower local communities through training in biodiversity monitoring.
  • Strengthen community-led conservation by integrating traditional knowledge with scientific approaches.
  • Improve livelihoods by balancing agricultural productivity with ecological sustainability.
Aerial view of a large wetland area. A road built on a dyke separates it from a village.
Mbawaar wetland and the neighbouring village of Diadam 3. Photo: NCD.
Aerial view of a large wetland area. A road built on a dyke separates it from a village.
Mbawaar wetland and the village of Diadam 3 from another perspective. Photo: NCD.

Key partners

  • Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal and Nature Protection Agency (NLWKN): Project initiator, overseeing development and execution, and providing scientific and technical support.
  • Nature Communautés Développement (NCD): Lead for implementation and community engagement.
  • Université Gaston Berger (UGB): Lead for scientific research.

Contact

Dr. Alain Maasri

International strategy planner at NLWKN

Send e-mail

Photo of Dr. Alain Maasri.

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