Gaya, June 5, 2026 — The urban commune of Gaya has launched restoration work on 500 hectares of degraded pastoral land, funded by the Integrated Urban Development and Multisectoral Resilience Project (PIDUREM). Early this morning, the ceremony kicked off at two symbolic sites — one in Gaya and another in Tara — marking the official start of operations.
The prefect of the Gaya department presided over the event, symbolically breaking ground alongside the commune’s administrator, the prefecture’s secretary general, the canton chief’s representative, the PIDUREM regional coordinator, and their teams. Also present were the Deputy Regional Director of the Environment for Dosso, the departmental director of Environment, representatives from ten partner NGOs, the village chief of Tara, and local residents.
Restoring and safeguarding pastoral landscapes
The PIDUREM-funded initiative aims to rehabilitate severely degraded pastoral plots, protect soils from erosion, and enhance land capacity for livestock. Key interventions include reforestation, erosion control measures for water and wind, construction of diversion structures, and rehabilitation of access roads to facilitate pastoral activities and monitoring.
Boosting climate resilience and local livelihoods
Officials emphasize that these efforts will strengthen community resilience against climate change impacts while preserving natural resources. The PIDUREM regional coordinator noted that the project will generate temporary employment for nearby populations, providing immediate economic benefits during implementation.
This initiative is part of a broader regional strategy by PIDUREM to combat land degradation, support food security, and reduce conflicts between farmers and herders. Technical and environmental monitoring will track progress, allowing adjustments to ensure long-term effectiveness.
Empowering herders and fostering sustainability
Direct beneficiaries include pastoral households and livestock keepers from neighboring villages, whose grazing routes will be restored and secured. Partner NGOs are actively involved in raising awareness about sustainable land management and ensuring the upkeep of completed works. Work has begun without delay, with initial planting and land preparation phases scheduled in the coming weeks. Regular assessments and progress reports will be produced to maintain transparency and guide future funding decisions.
