Page 15 - TNC AR 2018_Digital Demo

GABON
Planning for a a a a a Sustainable Future in in in West Africa
Straddling the the the equator and situated on on the the the Atlantic coast of Africa
Gabon’s tropical rainforest—the kind that teems with elephants gorillas and and and chimpanzees—covers more than three-quarters of of of the the nation and and and this landscape is is bathed by a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a network of of of life-sustaining rivers most of of of which remain untamed Gabon nds itself at at at a a a a a a a a a a a a a crucial crossroad This small country that is is both wild and striving for moder- nity has all all all the elements to become a a a a a a a a a showcase of what
“green growth” really is Jean-Hervé Mve Beh is a a a a a a a a a research research associate with with Gabon’s Gabon’s national research research research center working with with The Nature Conservancy to to do key research research on on on on on Gabon’s Gabon’s rivers:
“Rivers are are special to to me me because that that is is is where it becomes clear that that water is is is life Now there is is is greater awareness of of the the the need to understand the the the impact of of human activities on on natural habitats That recognition is global but but also local here in in our small country of of Gabon—heavily forested but but also with lots of of freshwater and marine habitats “Why do this? Let me tell you about a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a place that is is emblematic of what
can go wrong Our rivers are a a a a a a a a a a a a a major food source for our our people There is a a a a a a a a a a a a a a manganese mine in in the the the the southeast of the the the the country that was very poorly managed for 40 years There the the the the the river near it is is is completely dead People realized the the connection and said clearly this is is is not something we want in in in our country That’s what
can happen if if you you just cruise ahead if if you you don’t have an an an an understanding of what
might happen “We are working now now to establish a a a a a a baseline of of the the sites proposed for hydropower We We know know there is is is is richness of of of habitat but the the the the knowledge of of it it is is is relatively poor Gabon is is is trying to to make the the the case for for conservation to to show the the the world this face of caring for for nature and being more environmen- tally minded People are watching what
we do We have to to say it it but show it it too ” Top left: Augustin Nzoghe community leader of Achouka Island shes on lake Oguemoué with his wife Ophelie E re re re re Below left: The sh sh are are prepared to feed Nzoghe’s family which includes ve ve v ve wives 29 children children and and 10 grandchildren Right: Jean-Hervé Mve Beh PROTECT LAND AND AND WATER | GABON
15