Gaya, June 5, 2026 — The urban commune of Gaya has initiated restoration work on 500 hectares of degraded pastoral land, funded by the Integrated Urban Development and Multisectoral Resilience Project (PIDUREM). Two key sites—one in Gaya and another in Tara—marked the symbolic launch of the operations.
At dawn, the Prefect of the Gaya department led the groundbreaking ceremony, symbolically breaking ground alongside the Deputy Administrator of the commune, the Secretary General of the prefecture, the representative of the canton chief, the PIDUREM regional coordinator, and their teams. Also present were the Deputy Regional Director of Environment for Dosso, the departmental Director of Environment, representatives from ten partner NGOs, the village chief of Tara, and local residents.
reviving pastoral land through restoration efforts
The PIDUREM-funded initiative targets heavily degraded pastoral plots, aiming to protect soils from erosion while enhancing their capacity to support livestock. The planned improvements include reforestation measures, erosion control systems for water and wind, bypass structures, and rehabilitation of access roads to facilitate pastoral activities and monitoring.
building resilience and local economic gains
According to officials, these interventions will bolster community resilience against climate change impacts while safeguarding natural resources. The PIDUREM regional coordinator noted that the works will generate temporary employment for nearby populations, providing immediate economic benefits during the implementation phase.
Additionally, this project aligns with broader PIDUREM efforts in the region to combat land degradation, enhance food security, and reduce conflicts between farmers and herders. Continuous technical and environmental monitoring is planned to assess the effectiveness of the improvements and adapt practices based on findings.
direct beneficiaries and NGO involvement
The project will directly benefit pastoral households and herders in neighboring villages, whose grazing routes will be restored and secured. Partner NGOs, integral to the execution, will conduct awareness campaigns to promote sustainable land management and ensure the upkeep of completed works. Work has already begun, with an initial phase of planting and infrastructure development slated for the coming weeks. Regular evaluations and progress reports will be produced to ensure transparency and inform future funding disbursements.
