River Cacheu natural park

Area
Protected area has 800 km2 covered with 68% of mangrove.

Creation Date
December 2000

Resident communities
The estimated population is 7,930 inhabitants.
Ethnic groups present Felupe, Cobián, Manjaques, Baiotes, Balanta. Banhum and others. There are around 40 villages in the area.

Main objective
Conservation and utilization of mangrove ecosystems and biodiversity: supporting sustainable development through the rational exploitation of natural resources.

Importance
The mangrove ecosystem covers 68% of the area and is considered to be the largest continuous block of mangrove forest in West Africa. Appreciated for its great diversity of flora and fauna, bird population and large mammals such as hippopotamus, gazelle, manatee, guenon monkeys and a large variety of fish, shellfish and shrimps, river Cacheu remains an important ecosystem worth of further research and protection.

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Educational and artistic programe

interchange & empowerment of local community

Educational and artistic programe aims to establish a long-term platform for knowledge and experiences interchange, represented either in a more official manner or communicated through artistic interventions. It's main goals are to empower participating community through knowledge distribution and by giving local artists a voice on the national and international level. Group of lecturers and artists is international. Their work covers a large variety of local and foreign issues, with main focus to provide practical knowledge (sustainability, new technologies, languages, computer education,...) as well as tracing and creatively recuperating local traditions (for example: building up a database or incorporation of a local lore into wall painting). Activities are organized in collaboration with Guinea Bissau and foreign NGO's, cultural associations and other socially engaged organizations. In practice the programe is realized through a series of lectures, workshops, concerts, exhibitions, movie screenings, theatre shows and other; a small library and a public internet cafe are to be established as well.

Responsible ecotourism

quality of living, education

Responsible ecotourism, supported by sustainable and environment friendly infrastructure, follows the basic guidelines in contemporary tourist industry. Based on a combination of educational (working on farm, seminars and workshops on local issues), personal development and treatment (meditation, massage, aroma and herbal therapy), sport activities (cycling, hiking, swimming, yoga classes) it provides a deeper insight and understanding of the community and its natural surroundings. Resort is build up in collaboration with Badigue based Nhabali family. Once established tourist resort positively effects local economy by providing job posts for local people and increasing income of smaller enterprises, such as shops, artisaneries, restaurants, etc. It promotes and raises awareness about the importance of the natural resort where it is situated.

education