Shifting  from  words to actions: A journey  in Restoring The Grand-Bassam Wetland in Ivory Coast

On February 6 2025, the world celebrated the International Wetlands Day which focused on the theme Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future. The reflection of the day is not a date tagged but a continuous exercise by the global community to ensure the safety and protection of wetlands isn’t just a topic for celebration but a core mission for everyone in sustaining life on Earth.

Wetlands, including mangroves, peatlands, swamps, seagrass and marshes are not just ecological assets but important allies in the fight against climate change. According to the United Nations, wetlands cover only 6% of the Earth’s land surface yet support 40% of global biodiversity. According to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, wetlands globally store approximately 30% of all land-based carbon, which is roughly twice the amount stored by all the world’s forests combined, making them one of the most effective carbon sinks on Earth. However, these critical ecosystems are disappearing three times faster than forests, with 35% lost since 1970 due to urbanization, pollution, and climate change.

Mangroves, a vital type of coastal wetland, act as natural buffers against storm surges, prevent shoreline erosion, and store significant amounts of carbon. Africa’s wetlands span approximately 131 million hectares, however, they are under threat. In South Africa, 48% of wetlands are critically endangered, with 50% of the original wetland area already lost,  while Uganda’s wetland coverage shrank from 13.4% of land area in 1990 to just 9.5% due to agricultural expansion and urbanization. Climate change further worsens these challenges. A study projects that 87% of Africa’s critical sites for waterbirds will become unsuitable by 2050 due to climate-induced changes, affecting wetlands across Tunisia, Tanzania, Namibia, and South Africa (Wetlands Europe). Without urgent intervention, Africa’s mangrove forests could vanish within decades, leading to severe biodiversity loss, weakened coastal resilience, and increased carbon emissions. Studies indicate that, despite covering less than 1% of tropical forests, mangrove deforestation contributes nearly 10% of global CO2 emissions from deforestation (Global Mangrove Alliance).

The degradation of mangroves is not just an environmental crisis—it is also a social and economic issue. Restoring these wetlands is important, from creating conservation jobs and boosting sustainable tourism to revitalizing fisheries. Mangroves serve as crucial nursery grounds for fish and crustaceans, directly supporting food security and the livelihoods of coastal communities. Mangroves can generate a fishery production of 90–280 tons annually, feeding populations daily.   Moreover, wetlands naturally filter water, improving its quality by trapping pollutants and sediments, making them important for both human health and biodiversity conservation. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 recognizes the importance of wetlands in achieving environmental sustainability, while the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) promotes integrated water resource management through policies like the African Water Vision 2025 (African Union).

Preserving wetlands also means protecting indigenous knowledge systems, Metwane, (2023).  Many African coastal communities have relied on traditional conservation practices for generations, using seasonal fishing bans and community-led restoration efforts to maintain these ecosystems. Integrating these indigenous practices into modern conservation strategies can enhance sustainability. Additionally, educating younger generations about the importance of mangroves through storytelling, school programs, and interactive field visits can promote a deeper appreciation for these ecosystems.

The coastal town of Grand-Bassam, in Côte d’Ivoire, has experienced severe mangrove degradation due to urbanization and overexploitation. Recognizing the ecological and economic importance of these wetlands, PACJA-Côte d’Ivoire, in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Forestry, INADES-FORMATION, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Grand-Bassam town hall, launched a campaign to restore the region’s mangrove forests. This initiative focused on raising awareness, engaging communities, and advocating for stronger policies to combat mangrove loss.

In a thoughtful reflection,  Dr Anicet  Durand Obue, the Coordinator of PACJA-Côte d’Ivoire, shared the action  being undertaken in restoring the Grand-Bassam’s Mangroves for Wetland through  reforestation of Mangroves.

How has the awareness campaign reshaped the understanding of mangrove ecosystems and their role in climate justice?

 Before the campaign, rural communities were aware of the disappearance of mangroves but did not understand the consequences for their fishing activities and environment. Now, they realize that mangroves are the ‘mother’ of fish and crustacean species. The scarcity of fish in rivers is a direct consequence of mangrove destruction. In terms of climate justice, village communities have come to understand that urbanization is a significant factor in mangrove loss. Some villages are now demanding that property developers support mangrove restoration efforts.

What drives local involvement in mangrove planting activities?

 Côte d’Ivoire is one of the countries where mangroves have been severely degraded by human activity. Yet, mangroves have a high carbon sequestration potential and play a crucial role in fighting climate change. Many rural communities depend on fishing for their livelihood, but the decline in fish stocks has driven people to migrate to cities in search of work. By restoring mangroves, we can help communities adapt and sustain their fishing activities.

What impact has the mangrove restoration had on the local environment?

 After the campaign, rural communities recognized the importance of preserving mangroves. Previously, many villages were unaware that mangroves could be replanted. Now, they are forming associations to fight against illegal mangrove destruction. Some communities have already begun organizing their mangrove planting activities.

How are local communities contributing to the long-term sustainability of conservation efforts?

 With support from PACJA-Côte d’Ivoire and the Departmental Water and Forestry Directorate, rural communities have established mangrove monitoring committees. These committees regularly report illegal activities affecting mangroves to forestry officers, ensuring continued protection.

What additional support would strengthen these conservation efforts?

 Firstly, financial resources are needed to establish sufficient mangrove nurseries and make them accessible to village communities. Training in nursery techniques and mangrove planting is essential. Additionally, providing equipment such as motorbike tricycles, machetes, and pickaxes would enhance restoration efforts. Surveillance committees also require financial support to sustain their work.

What are your plans for mangrove conservation?

 We plan to organize workshops to reinforce what has been learned and share experiences with other villages and stakeholders involved in mangrove conservation. Through social media, we are already sharing our progress with a wider audience. Moving forward, we hope that activities in rural communities are prioritized, as we believe local adaptation projects are key to sustaining these efforts.

As climate justice advocates, we must take decisive action to protect and restore wetlands as critical ecosystems for climate resilience. To meet the Paris Agreement goals, wetlands must be safeguarded as carbon sinks, while the Global Biodiversity Framework calls for halting wetland loss and promoting restoration. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration urges collective action, and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands provides a framework for conservation and sustainable use.

Wetlands should be integrated into national policies such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) under the Convention on Biological Diversity. At the Pan-African level, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 recognizes the importance of wetlands in achieving environmental sustainability.

The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) provides a platform for regional policies and frameworks that enhance wetland conservation, including the African Water Vision 2025, which promotes integrated water resource management. Strengthening legal frameworks, including Environmental Protection Acts, Water Resource Management Policies, and wetland conservation regulations, is essential to prevent degradation. By aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land)—as well as African-led initiatives, we reinforce wetlands’ role in climate justice, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development.