The Kirifi Classified Forest, located in the Indénié-Djuablin region, covers an area of 58 hectares. In 2024, the forest faced severe degradation, with six hectares being overexploited. In response, the Regional Directorate of Water and Forests quickly intervened to assist local communities in monitoring and restoring the affected areas.

“One of the primary objectives of the Ministry of Water and Forests is to encourage communities to engage in reforestation and preserve our rich forest heritage,” said Lieutenant Méa Koua, in charge of forest management at the regional directorate.

To aid in the restoration, tree seedlings, equipment, and financial support were provided to villagers to ensure the sustainable protection of the forest.

“We’re grateful to the government for helping us save our forest. It used to be unprotected. Today, it is safe,” said Arnaud Yao, president of the Kirifi Forest Management Committee.

The monitoring of classified forests is part of Côte d’Ivoire’s broader effort to protect ecologically and culturally significant forest zones. It also supports the government’s national strategy to restore and restructure the country’s forest cover, which has been under significant threat in recent decades.