Park rangers and residents speak up to save Togo's last national park
A few years ago, I drove with an old friend from Togo, West Africa, towards the country's last remaining large protected area, Fazao-Malfakassa National Park. Our destination was the Hotel Fazao, where his uncle had once worked as a professional chef after its opening in 1980. For decades, while the park was managed by the Swiss Franz Weber Foundation (FWF), the hotel had hosted tourists from…
In Togo, West Africa, Fazao-Malfakassa National Park was once a thriving protected area, home to diverse wildlife such as elephants and monkeys. However, in 2015, the park's management shifted from a private entity to state control, leading to significant changes and challenges. This transition was explored through interviews with park rangers and local residents.
Rangers, aged 25 to 55, had varying experiences with both private and state management, with 40% having experience with both. Most rangers (83%) rated the state's management negatively, citing increased poaching, illegal burning, and cattle grazing. Despite their concerns, residents overwhelmingly preferred the previous private management, with 79% believing the FWF managed the park better.
The park's vulnerability is exacerbated by poaching, habitat loss, and illegal activities, often carried out by outsiders exploiting the park's resources. Residents suggested improving park management by hiring more rangers, providing equipment, and increasing salaries. Rangers echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for better resources to conduct patrols and enforce regulations.
The park's future hinges on effective ranger patrols and the potential return of ecotourism, which was previously a significant source of income. Rangers and residents alike expressed a strong desire to see tourism return to the park, with rangers favoring private management under government cooperation.
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