Initiating restoration and awareness-raising for the preservation of the Dar Fatma peat bogs in Tunisia

 

Organization: World Wide Fund for Nature North Africa Tunisia (WWF-NA)
Award Amount: €34 000
Project Type: PROZHUM Small Project
Duration: January 2024 – December 2026
Project Contact: Imen Ben Osman, ibenosmen@wwfna.org
Keywords: habitat; protection; awareness; engagement

Sampling at the Dar Fatma peatlands in Tunisia as part of a field visit to support the design of the restoration project.

Sampling at the Dar Fatma peatlands in Tunisia as part of a field visit to support the design of the restoration project.

Summary

The Dar Fatma peat bogs, a unique ecosystem in Tunisia, have been facing critical degradation for several years, with a major impact on the site’s hydrology. The destruction of the protective fence, combined with the cutting of heather (Erica scoparia) and overgrazing, as well as pollution and the lack of involvement of the local population, are threatening the site’s endemic and rare biodiversity. Without habitat restoration, the Dar Fatma Nature Reserve risks the short-term extinction of its heritage species.

The project aims to initiate the implementation of urgent restoration actions for this ecologically important area, notably through the creation of a temporary site fence, community engagement through awareness-raising sessions on key themes, and collaboration with local authorities to ensure the successful implementation and sustainability of activities. The project includes the organization of three workshops for the local population to strengthen their skills in conservation and sustainable management, as well as the organization of consultation meetings with significant representation from local authorities to emphasize local participation.

Objectives

  • Initiate urgent restoration efforts according to the IUCN standard of nature-based solutions in the Dar Fatma peatlands, in order to enhance biodiversity and improve habitat quality through the implementation of ecologically appropriate and scientifically validated conservation measures.
  • Raise community awareness and promote environmental responsibility through awareness-raising sessions on key themes
  • Strengthen collaboration and coordination with local authorities to ensure the successful implementation and sustainability of restoration and conservation activities

Resources

  • Learn more about the PROZHUM project

Funding

Agence Française de Développement (AFD) implements France’s policy on international development and solidarity. Through its financing of NGOs and the public sector, as well as its research and publications, AFD supports and accelerates transitions towards a fairer, more resilient world. It also provides training in sustainable development (at AFD Campus) and other awareness-raising activities in France.