Influence of indigenousness on access to natural resources

In Burkina Faso, land management is becoming increasingly complex due to competition for natural resources. The traditional production systems of livestock and agriculture had long succeeded in preserving a certain balance between the environment, people and animals. However, difficulties in accessing natural resources, combined with the scarcity of rainfall, demographic pressure, and the superimposition of traditional and modern land management rights, sometimes create tensions or even open conflicts between the various actors. Whether caused by greed or injustice, these conflicts deteriorate the social climate between the different communities. Thus, internal and cross-border transhumance remains the only alternative for herders to preserve their herds and ensure sustainable resource management. However, during their mobility, herders are confronted with numerous difficulties: occupation of passage or access tracks, poor management of disputes related to field damage, impounding of animals by public administrations or the population, etc.