infrahub.africa

Background

The Sidi Amor peri-urban park was initiated in 2006 by a small group of local residents who formed a non-profit organization called Agricultural Development Group, better known by its French acronym GDA Sidi Amor. The area's peri-urban forest was being rapidly degraded by deforestation, resource extraction, construction, quarrying and waste disposal, and local communities were coming under threat from soil erosion and increasingly regular fires. The group aimed to tackle this by developing agroforestry on degraded land and promoting the protection of peri-urban forests and the sustainable valorization of natural resources. In collaboration with local communities and partners, a combination of existing and innovative approaches were employed to restore the landscape, including tree planting, earthworks and soil stabilization to address soil erosion and gullying. The Sidi Amor peri-urban forest is now a source of socioeconomic dynamism for the local population promoting agroforestry, eco-construction, local arts and crafts, and tourism.

Approach

Earthworks and stabilization began in the Sidi Amor site from 2005, focusing on the construction of gullies for soil protection using local stone and marble quarry waste. This was followed by organic reforestation which saw the planting of a variety of indigenous aromatic and medicinal plants in active partnership with multiple stakeholders, including local communities. As a project incubator and a platform for experimentation and demonstration, the Sidi Amor eco-village for arts and crafts was set up to exhibit and sell local products (e.g. ceramics, cosmetics, plants) and foods created using local natural resources. It also provides training workshops on ecological construction methods, ceramics, ironwork, mosaic and other manual techniques. The GDA Sidi Amor group earns revenue from membership fees, guided tours, meeting room rentals and catering. They also seek grants through project calls from funding organizations (e.g. UNDP and FAO) to sustain and scale their operations.

Environmental Impact

The restoration of Sidi Amor peri-urban forest has led to reductions in environmental pollution through green waste composting and the construction of a wetland for waste water treatment. The site now provides a local source of clean water and compost for peri-urban agriculture in Sidi Amor. Earth stabilization has reduced soil erosion, landslides and subsidence, helping to protect local ecosystems and communities from the impacts of heavy rains. The expansion of vegetation and reduction in forest fragmentation helps to conserve local biodiversity, and contributes to carbon sequestration.

Success Factors

The main success factor for the project is the development of active partnerships and collaboration with national and international scientific and technical institutions, ministerial departments, associations, trade bodies and local community groups representing the interests of youth and women. Awareness raising and sensitization about environmental degradation in communities has also helped to maintain the ecological integrity of the area.

Evidence

The Sidi Amor project has led to the restoration and conservation of about 10.3 km² of degraded peri-urban forest. The project’s constructed wetland treats about 500 m³of waste water per day, supporting the irrigation of 3,200 hectares of agricultural fields. The women who are part of the Sidi Amor project have won gold medals at international events by promoting GDA’s local products.