If you travel along the transboundary coasts of the Sangha River, you will certainly see some beautiful new buildings along Nyangouté! These are the new-look buildings of the Anti-Poaching Brigade (BLAB TNS)!
Since its creation in 2010, the BLAB headquarters, thanks to the financial support of FTNS and its partners, has been equipped with several infrastructures (operating rooms, dormitories, kitchen, etc.) for the proper implementation of the operations of this mixed unit. After more than 10 years of existence, these buildings, most of which were ageing, were almost on the verge of ruin, an unfavourable context for the maintenance of this unit, which is essential for the survival of the emblematic species of the TNS.
In order to remedy this situation, the Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas, with the technical and financial support of the FTNS (with funds from the German Cooperation), initiated a project to rehabilitate the infrastructure of this transboundary monitoring base. The work carried out facilitated the rehabilitation/construction of a dormitory for the eco-guards, a refectory-kitchen, an administrative building, a straw hut, showers, latrines, dormitories for the guards, a reserve for fuel and equipment, a 4m² water tank, a water tower pumping system, a water distribution network and piping. In addition, the landing area, which is often affected by weathering and progressive erosion, will be fitted out with steps to facilitate and protect access to the site.
“Previously, BLAB elements suffered from inadequate accommodation, but thanks to these works, they will now have better working conditions during their stay at the facility,” said Mr. P. David Selon, BLAB Brigade Commander.
Mr. P. David, BLAB Brigade Commander
In 2020, FTNS in partnership with the Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas had already contributed to strengthening the operationalisation of the Tri-national Anti-Poaching Brigade of Nyangouté through the provision of a generator, two solar street lamps (electrification and lighting) and a VSAT installation (for an adequate internet connection on site).
The Anti-Poaching Brigade (BLAB) is a joint cross-border unit set up to combat cross-border poaching in TNS and a real symbol of cross-border cooperation between the three TNS countries. Made up of ecoguards from the three protected areas of this World Heritage site, the establishment of the TNS BLAB in the Nyangouté area in the Central African Republic has greatly reduced poaching and other illegal activities in this intersection between the three member countries.
