New research from northern Togo reveals that the very communities living adjacent to the nation’s disappearing sacred forests are key to their survival. Despite heavy reliance on these forests for fuel and livelihood, a comprehensive survey of residents near the Nakpadjoak sacred forest shows overwhelming support for its protection, signaling an opportunity for conservation strategies that align with local perspectives and needs. The study underscores a critical challenge across West Africa: balancing the preservation of vital, culturally significant ecosystems with the daily realities of a growing population that depends on them.
Historically shielded by cultural and spiritual traditions, the sacred forests of Togo, which make up about 10% of the nation’s territory, are now facing unprecedented threats from human activities. The Nakpadjoak forest, a 50-hectare fragment of a once-vast woodland savanna, exemplifies this struggle. Surrounded by agricultural fields and human settlements, it has been significantly degraded by tree cutting for wood fuel, a practice that continues despite being officially banned. Researchers surveyed 281 residents, representing nearly every household surrounding Nakpadjoak, to gauge local views on the forest’s future, uncovering a strong desire for conservation alongside a deep-seated reliance on its resources. The findings highlight the urgent need for viable alternatives to wood fuel and community-inclusive management plans to prevent the complete loss of these biodiversity hotspots.
An Overwhelming Local Mandate for Conservation
The study, published in the journal Conservation, presents a clear consensus among the local population: the sacred forest is worth saving. An emphatic 92% of residents surveyed believe the Nakpadjoak forest should be protected. This near-unanimous support forms a powerful foundation for conservation initiatives, demonstrating that the local community is an ally, not an obstacle, to preservation efforts. Furthermore, more than half of the residents (55%) advocate for prohibiting access to the forest altogether, indicating a high level of concern about its degradation. This sentiment persists even as the community remains deeply intertwined with the forest’s resources. The research highlights that local people are acutely aware of the negative changes occurring in their environment and are willing to consider significant restrictions to halt the damage.
This strong local backing is crucial, as state-led conservation efforts have often been insufficient in the face of widespread deforestation. Between 1985 and 2020, Togo lost more than half of its total forest cover, and many wildlife populations have been poached to extinction, even within the boundaries of national parks. In this context, the enduring existence of Nakpadjoak, however diminished, is a testament to the historical success of traditional, community-based protection. The new data suggests that strengthening these traditional systems, rather than replacing them, could be the most effective path forward. By empowering residents and formally recognizing their role as custodians, conservation programs can tap into a deep well of local support and knowledge that top-down approaches often ignore.
The Driving Forces of Forest Degradation
Reliance on Wood Fuel
The primary driver of deforestation in the region is the pervasive need for wood fuel. The survey revealed that 96% of residents around Nakpadjoak use wood as their main source of domestic energy for cooking and other household needs. This overwhelming dependency explains why, despite a ban, wood cutting continues to be a major issue. Two-thirds of residents reported that the forest has been visibly altered by this practice. Sub-Saharan Africa’s rapidly growing population has intensified the pressure on natural resources, and in this region, wood fuel accounts for 80% of total wood consumption. The situation creates a difficult paradox: the community understands the long-term consequences of deforestation but lacks immediate, viable alternatives for their energy needs.
However, the study also uncovered a significant willingness to change. A remarkable 90% of residents stated they would switch to alternative fuels, such as natural gas, if they were made available and accessible. This finding points to a clear and actionable solution. Investing in infrastructure and subsidies for alternative energy sources could dramatically reduce the pressure on Nakpadjoak and other sacred forests. Such a transition would not only serve conservation goals but also align with the expressed desires of the local community, potentially offering health and economic benefits by reducing reliance on burning solid fuels.
Impact on Local Ecology
The consequences of forest degradation extend beyond the loss of trees. Residents have observed significant changes in the local ecosystem. A large majority (79%) reported that wildlife populations within the forest have declined. These sacred forests have traditionally served as sanctuaries for biodiversity, protecting unique and sometimes endangered species from the habitat loss that affects the wider landscape. As the forest shrinks and is disturbed by human activity, these species lose their refuge.
In addition to the loss of wildlife, the forest’s role in the community is changing. Seventy percent of residents reported that Nakpadjoak has effectively become a pasture for domestic animals. While grazing may seem less destructive than logging, it can prevent forest regeneration, compact the soil, and introduce invasive plant species, further degrading the ecosystem. This shift from a sacred, protected space to a common grazing ground illustrates the erosion of traditional management practices under the weight of modern economic pressures.
A Model for Community-Led Restoration
The challenges facing Nakpadjoak are not unique in Togo, but another community has shown that restoration is possible. In the northern prefecture of Kozah, the sacred forest of Titiyo was nearly wiped out by logging for firewood, charcoal, and timber. The degradation had severe impacts on the local climate, leading to scarce rainfall and hotter temperatures, and wildlife disappeared from the area. However, starting in 2015, a restoration project led by Sylvain Tchoou Akati, a native of the region, has brought the forest back to life through a model of community-led conservation.
The project, run by the NGO Youth Action for Integral Development (AJEDI), focused on raising awareness among the local population in the village of Karè. Villagers, particularly women, became deeply involved in the restoration, watering seedlings during the dry season to ensure their survival. Landowners within the forest’s original perimeter voluntarily gave up their plots for reforestation. The success of the Titiyo restoration provides a hopeful blueprint. It demonstrates that when communities are empowered and made aware of the direct benefits of conservation—such as improved rainfall and the return of birdsong—they can become powerful agents of change. This model, which combines local leadership with NGO support, could be adapted for other threatened sacred sites like Nakpadjoak.
The Future of Sacred Forest Protection
The case of Nakpadjoak underscores that the future of Togo’s sacred forests is inextricably linked to the well-being and involvement of local communities. The research indicates that a successful conservation strategy must be multifaceted. It must respect and integrate traditional knowledge and cultural values, which have protected these forests for generations. At the same time, it must address the modern economic pressures that are driving their destruction. Providing access to alternative energy sources appears to be the most critical intervention, capable of alleviating the primary threat to the forest while improving the quality of life for residents.
Ultimately, the views of the people living alongside these vital ecosystems provide the most important guidance. Their overwhelming desire to protect their sacred forest, coupled with their willingness to adopt new technologies, offers a clear path forward. By listening to and collaborating with communities, conservationists and policymakers can develop sustainable management plans that safeguard Togo’s unique natural and cultural heritage for the future, ensuring that these sacred spaces remain vibrant sanctuaries for both people and wildlife.