Hadejia Nguru Bade Biosphere Reserve, Nigeria

Located in the Sudan-Sahelian zone of Nigeria, in the Lake Chad basin, the biosphere reserve encompasses the first Ramsar site designated in Nigeria, the Bade Ngruru Wetland, as well as the Baturiya Game Reserve, a former community forest. 

Ecological Characteristics

The seasonal rising of the Hadejia and Jama’re rivers flood lands and uplands in the states of Bauchi and Kano, as well as the Jos Plateau, home to many resident and migratory bird species. The region is recognized globally as internationally important for bird conservation.

A total of 377 bird species have been recorded in the proposed BR, (BirdLife International, 2019). Two species of global conservation concern, Circus macrourus and Galinago media, winter occasionally in the proposed BR. Numbers of overwintering Aythya nyroca have declined considerably in recent years. The wetlands are extremely important for waterbirds, both for breeding species and for wintering and passing Palearctic waterbirds, while the surrounding areas hold significant numbers of species of the Sahel and Sudan–Guinea Savannah biomes.

 

Socio-Economic Characteristics

The Kanuri, Bade, Hausa and Fulani makes up the biosphere reserve’s culturally and socially diverse population of close to 932,000 inhabitants. The identities of these ethnic groups are displayed in different ways such as: Bade and Hadejia emirate fishing and Durbar festivals have been very unique historical events, celebrated by the members of these emirates and their environs.

The creation of the biosphere reserves is part of a regional effort to update and improve knowledge of Lake Chad’s natural resources and build capacity for the sustainable management of these resources.

 

 

 

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Last updated: April 2021