Study of the Ecological and Socioeconomic Impact Transhumance: in Thiel Pastoral Unit (Linguère Department)

Transhumance is a strategy used by Sahelian herders to organize their grazing routes and optimize the use of the environment in which they live. It is necessary to measure and analyze the impact of transhumant herders on natural resources and on the income of local populations. This study, commissioned by PAPEL, falls within this framework and examines, from a development perspective, the ecological and socioeconomic impact of transhumance. The assessment and monitoring involved collecting information on transhumance; then, based on this information, conducting regular follow-ups with herders during transhumance in the Thiel pastoral unit; and finally, analyzing the consequences of transhumance. The study reveals that household typology can be used to characterize transhumant herders. Furthermore, transhumance has both negative and positive ecological and socioeconomic consequences. It has already been possible to formulate proposals for development. These focus on improving the organization of transhumance from north to south.