Summary : In the Sahelian region of West Africa, known as a shrubland area, the main causes of deforestation are shifting cultivation, the removal of wood for fuel purposes (fuelwood and charcoal), felling the tallest trees for timber and handicrafts, and the persistent drought. In CILSS countries, where the annual population growth rate exceeds 2.5%, individual wood consumption is estimated at 0.6-1.5 m
3/ha. In the light of these trends, the future of the Sahelian forest is threatened. |