GREEN GABON

Building a future based on nature

By Plateau Perspectives

April 4^th, 2021

Gabon is unique in Central Africa, and indeed the whole continent. Part of the greater Congo Basin, its tropical forest cover, largely in excellent ecological condition, exceeds 80% of the national territory. Not only is the forest's rich biodiversity and associated ecosystem services of immense economic worth for the local communities as well as the nation as a whole, the forests also contribute to a strong sense of sociocultural identity that is nearly universal across Gabon - with virtually everyone feeling a deep sense of connection with the country's forest landscapes. While virtually all rural communities depend on the forest's resources in numerous ways, such livelihood benefits and cultural ties are even stronger for Gabon's indigenous forest dwelling people, who see themselves not so much as owners of the land, but as simply belonging to the land.

In addition to people's recognition and deep appreciation for the worth of nature, the country also is increasingly recognising the value of its extraordinary natural capital, especially in its forest landscapes, which could substantially contribute to diversifying and bolstering the country's development and to supporting achievement of nationally and globally endorsed sustainable development goals. Especially following the pandemic, and consequent economic downturn, building back with nature provides the best way forward to increase resilience and ensure a better and more equitable future for generations.

Global environmental benefits of conserving Congo Basin forests are equally outstanding, unparalleled in the world - being second only to the Amazon in terms of forest biodiversity and surpassing it six-fold in terms of total net carbon storage across the region.

Gabon is situated in the eastern part of the Congo Basin, with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and surrounded by to the north, west and south by Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and Republic of Congo. The great Ogooue River is the most prominent in the country, with its vast watershed encompassing most of the country.

I traveled for the first time to Gabon for three weeks in December 2020 to meet the exceptional UNDP Gabon country team, led by Mr Francis James, whose overarching aim is to advance the prosperity and wellbeing of the country, with special attention given to its sustainable and equitable development and to the conservation of biodiversity. Particular attention is paid to the country's vast sparsely populated interior forested regions. To this end, UNDP is collaborating closely with national authorities as well as civil society and local forest-dependent and forest-dwelling communities in order to advance more inclusive conservation, which extends well beyond traditional national parks... This approach is now widely appreciated, building on growing recognition that indigenous peoples and local communities are allies in conservation and indeed are the longest-standing guardians of nature (see, e.g., Protecting indigenous cultures is crucial for saving the world’s biodiversity). This view is also endorsed by IUCN, for example through its Green List Standards for protected and conserved areas, and the network of indigenous peoples known as the ICCA Consortium, which upholds ICCAs - territories of life.

Field mission...

After introductions in town... we quickly went to the field. Our goal: to lay the groundwork for the development of a community-friendly conservation project focused on high conservation value and high carbon stock forest landscapes in the Lower Ogooue - Lower Nyanga watersheds, which will be the Gabon component of the regional GEF-supported Congo Basin Sustainable Landscapes Program.

For this purpose, we met with and learned much from many different stakeholders, as well as through direct observations of the land and its resources, local livelihoods, and ongoing conservation projects.

We met with stakeholders in Lambarene, Mouila, Tchibanga and elsewhere. This has helped us to gain a better understanding of important conservation and development issues, sometimes complex multi-stakeholder dynamics, and strategic ways in which key issues may be addressed and ameliorated by the project under development.

Our central task was to maintain a responsiveness to the stakeholders, to co-design an inclusive forest conservation initiative that addresses national aims simultaneously with bringing tangible benefits to indigenous people and local communities residing in the project landscape.

Views from Lambarene

The Lower Ogooue (Bas Oggoue) Ramsar Site "comprises a vast alluvial plain ... with marshes, lakes and rivers in the west of the country. Luxuriant vegetation covers half of the Site in dense forest, riparian marshes and savannah. It supports several threatened species such as gorilla, chimpanzee, elephant, buffalo, mandrill, African manatee and hippopotamus. Other noteworthy species include waterbirds such as herons, African cormorant and falcons, and fish populations including tilapia and carp. The rich natural resources of the Site are commonly used by local populations for various purposes... Local regulations aim to protect and maintain the natural resources..."

Water everywhere

Field visits and consultations

Forest dependent livelihoods

Traditional lifestyles

Sustainable fisheries

National parks and wildlife

Planning for inclusive conservation

Access to information is key

Family farming in the forest

To the very welcoming people of Gabon: We wish you every success in the country's development, from Libreville to the remotest part of the country, including protection of your extraordinary forest landscapes and their sustainable use in fair and equitable ways, recognising their great benefit to the nation and to the world!

To cite: Foggin, J. M. 2021. Green Gabon: Building a future based on nature. Ardgay, Scotland: Plateau Perspectives. Available at https://stories.plateauperspectives.org/green-gabon/