Friends of Mali - Ireland

Magestic Mahogany

Help us to grow trees along the bank of the Niger!

We are also looking for a benefactor / organisation to sponsor this project.

We are looking for people / organisations with expertise in this area, to help research & develop this project.

The town of Segou was developed by the French and was the centre of what was known as the “Office du Niger”.
The former colonial administrative town boasts a magnificent
stand of huge mahogany trees, planted by the French about 100 years ago along the Niger River in the town. A highly unusual sight in this Sahel region, the majestic trees not only provide a powerful visual amenity and tourist benefit, but also strengthen the river bank and help the local micro-climate. These mahogany trees are being felled one by one as timber for building the fishing & transport boats, essential for local income.
This continued felling of the mahogany is destroying a very finite source of timber. Unless the trees are replaced, there will eventually be no river-side trees left; & without a sustainable source of timber, there will be no more boat- building.
Replacement of these trees is urgently
needed ,along with the development of a
long-term, sustainable source of timber.
We have identified a suitable 10-hectare
site near the river and are in
discussions with local
authorities to advance this
ambitious environmental project