Aboisso, 30 oct 2023 (AIP) - The Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques (CSRS), through its RASAPCI project (Recherche et Action pour la Sauvegarde des Primates en Côte d'Ivoire), raised environmental awareness among the Tiapoum population from October 22 to 29, 2023, on the occasion of the Abissa celebrations, a traditional N'zima feast.

"We're at Abissa to lend our support to the communities we've been working with for some time," said CSRS associate researcher Dr. Valet Prince.

He explained that the Abissa is a "far-reaching" socio-cultural event for the communities surrounding the Forêt des Marais de la Tanoé-Ehy located in the Tiapoum department.

This gathering of people of all ages and social and cultural backgrounds is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of preserving this forest for future generations, said Dr. Valet.

For several days, guests and local people attending the Abissa benefited from CSRS advice on nature conservation, and in particular on the merits of preserving the Tanoé-Eyi swamp forest.

The president of the Abissa 2023 organizing committee, Samuel Kouassi, thanked the Swiss Center for its presence at the celebration.

The Marais Tanoé-Ehy forest covers 10,000 hectares. According to specialists, it is the "largest block" of relatively intact forest left in south-west Côte d'Ivoire. It is "exceptionally" rich and "crucially" important for the conservation of the species that live there. These include primates, amphibians, fish, birds and plants.

Since December 2021, the government of Côte d'Ivoire has signed a decree classifying it as a voluntary nature reserve, with a view to strengthening its protection and collective management, and further stimulating the commitment of stakeholders.

(AIP)

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