Africa – the flowering desert

0’02”

Burkina Faso in West Africa. On the northern road out of the capital Ouagadougou in the direction of Djibo you come across one of the last palatial estates left over from colonial days. However this impression is misleading. The Sahara desert is penetrating ever further into the land. What was formerly fertile countryside is becoming semi-desert. Over the last few years, rainfall during the rainy season has been negligible. Wind erosion and over grazing by goats and cattle has left the ground barren.

The Swiss Aid Organisation, New Tree wants to put a stop to this vicious cycle. A small-scale venture, aimed at fencing in manageable areas has been set up, in collaboration with the indigenous people. New Tree supplies the raw materials, while the villagers see to plaiting and erecting the fences themselves, as here in Pobe Mengao. Through this method, in Burkina Faso, more than one hundred hectares of wasteland has been fenced in, as much in neighbouring Benin.

In the meantime, 120,000 trees have sprouted and are thriving. The initiator of this project is Swiss doctor, Felix Kuechler. After years working for medical development aid, he wanted to make an enduring improvement to the livelihood of the people - and to contribute to climate protection.

1’35” OT INSERT: Dr Felix Kuechler

New Tree Switzerland – Burkina Faso

I have a vision in which this wasteland, covering millions of hectares becomes green again.  It was green hundreds of years ago, a variety of trees and bushes flourished in the savannah, providing food and sustenance to man and beast, shelter, protection, agro-forestry, even millet and maize can be cultivated here.  It was like that once.  It was the reality here.

2’05”

One year and one rainy season later, the ground is covered with grass seed, bushes and trees that have germinated and grown naturally. There is no need to plant new trees. What you have to do is to protect the natural vegetation that already exists.

2’26” OT INSERT: Zoungrana Michel

Dawelgue, Burkina Faso

We are doing this for ourselves, but even more for our children. Certainly a long time ago it was stipulated that this area should not be deforested. However it was not possible to keep the whole place under supervision. Now, with fences, we have found a solution, a reliable protection for tree and bush.

2’45”

The Swiss biologist Franziska Kaguembega-Mueller works for New Tree and is winning over more and more village communities to the concept of reforestation.

2’54” OT INSERT: Franziska Kaguembega-Mueller

New Tree Ouagadougou

We can help them care for their environment, in order to protect nature and see their lives regenerate.  We are deeply moved by this.  We visit the villagers and eat with them.  We can clearly see how their life is improving.  As they are increasingly able t o support themselves, they find plants that were becoming scarce, and trees that were threatened with extinction.  I am also filled with joy.  I feel very fortunate.

3’26”

New Tree employs a sentinel for each community, in view of the huge herds of cattle around everywhere. Wire netting alone would not provide enough protection for the tempting foliage from marauders.

3’43” OT INSERT: Felix Kuechler

The need for someone to be on permanent watch is clear.  This land is passing through a dry spell.  A while ago herdsmen came here.  They had their boys with them and climbed over the fence into the enclosure.  They took branches, and even leaves and grass for food.  A guard can keep an eye out in case anyone is tempted to scramble over the fence.  Without good security this project is much less feasible.

New Tree

The success of reforestation schemes has now encouraged the country’s politicians to get involved and become active. The New Tree motto “Protect trees, not just new plants” has already been absorbed as a binding integral part of the regional development programme.

4’30” OT INSERT Dicko Arssouki

Canton Leader, Tongomayel

It does not rain, the trees disappear. We must think of our children, of future generations. Therefore we have decided to plant trees in our area, to let them grow and to protect them. So we are using New Tree to protect our natural environment. It is the future for us all.

4’58”

Hectare by hectare, wasteland is being reclaimed and becoming verdant again, thus providing a living for both people and their beasts in the Sahel – as well as climate protection for the planet.