Between tourism development and decrease in rice cultivation in the township of Diembering (region of Ziguinchor, Senegal): Which alternative for a local sustainable development?

Abstract

The township of Diembering has an important agricultural and environmental potential. Tourism activities reduce agricultural land. However, the impacts of the tourism industry development and the decrease in rice cultivation are controversial. On the one hand, we have several benefits relating to job creation for some young people and collection of tax revenues for the municipality. On the other hand, we note negative impacts such as increasing land conflicts, decreasing rice and vegetation areas, food insecurity, school drop-out among young people and degradation of social links. Sustainable local development solutions based on a new territorial organization and rural planning are proposed to improve the protection of agricultural and natural areas, and facilitate the coexistence of different activities.