Sahel Integrated Lowland Ecosystem Management (SILEM), Phase I

The global environment objectives of the program SILEM, based on the promotion of a landscape and lowland ecosystem approach, would be to generate multiple and interconnected global environmental benefits such as : (a) to build capacity for sound and sustainable integrated ecosystem management planning and implementation at local, regional and national level; (b) to reduce, stop and reverse land degradation and desertification with adequate soil and water management technologies and infrastructures in lowland and surrounding uplands of micro-basins as a means for improving the productivity and sustainability of plant and animal production systems, and for protecting natural habitats of local and global importance; (c) strengthen the natural resource base by better conserving and maintaining (agro-) biodiversity at ecosystem, species and genetic level, (d) decrease of vulnerability to climate change (drought and other stress factors), (e) stop and reverse to some extent the deterioration of international waters (Volta and Comoe) and (f) establish adequate common and private property management regimes to secure adequate access rights to all users of natural resources, the poor in particular, so as to maintain and strengthen social and economic peace.