Niger’s natural resource management policies and institutions in colonial and post-independence times have discouraged landowners to plant or protect trees. The consequent land clearing led to severe scarcity of tree products. Firewood collection – mainly done by women – became a full-time task, especially after the prolonged drought period. Niger learnt a hard lesson and finally designed policies and institutions that provided incentives for sustainable land management practices. Significant land restoration occurred and as the majority of Niger’s people depend heavily on natural resources, improving land led to improving their welfare.
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