Fragmentation of a protected area in an urban agglomeration: The case of the Banco National Park (Côte d’Ivoire)
The creation of national parks and nature reserves in Côte d’Ivoire is guided by the objective of guaranteeing the protection and conservation of natural forest resources. This process began with the Banco National Park that went from a status of forest station in 1926 to that of national park in 1953. Due to its geographical location, the Banco national park is classified as one of the world’s urban parks. The Banco national park, a rich natural heritage, is subject to degradation and various forms of pollution. The results of an exhaustive survey indicate that a combination of factors, namely major urban population and land pressures, together with socio-economic and politico-military crises, combined with institutional weaknesses have resulted in the fragmentation of the park’s northeast section, known as the Sagbé Triangle (52 ha). In total, 1,134 informal economic actors moved to the area in successive waves between 1987 and 2013. Fortunately, almost all (95.6%) the economic actors on the Sagbé Triangle sites are willing to vacate the park while, for the time being, continuing to work there, as a result of the State’s passivity and surrender of its sovereign in the protection of protected areas. Needed today to ensure the sustainable conservation of the Banco national park are effective eviction enforcement measures, the construction of a fence at least 14.2 km in length and the implementation of a participatory management system.