Niokolo-base: A digital library dedicated to the Niokolo-Koba National Park

The aim of the Niokolo-Base is to centralise documentary resources and improve knowledge management within the Niokolo-Koba National Park, with a view to contributing to the conservation of its biodiversity and ecosystems.

Financial partners

Digital for Development – D4D

Background

Located in the Tambacounda region, in south-eastern Senegal, the Niokolo-Koba National Park (PNNK) has the status of a game and wildlife reserve and a national park, and is also designated asa Biosphere Reserve. Although it has succeeded in conserving all its medium- and large-sized wildlife species since its creation, it has unfortunately not enjoyed the same success in preserving its scientific documentary heritage, which spans more than 60 years. Reconstructing this body of knowledge is therefore a major challenge.

As the first digital library to bring together documentation produced within and around the PNNK, Niokolo-Base aims to provide stakeholders with centralised and structured access to data.

Location

Objectives

To help preserve the biodiversity and ecosystems of the Niokolo-Koba National Park by pooling and sharing knowledge
To facilitate management and decision-making
Detecting and responding to threats (poaching, bushfires, climate change)

ODD

Target audiences

Park rangers in the field
Stakeholders in conservation
Researchers
Technical and financial partners

Steps

Provide the communications department with basic IT equipment for digitising paper documents;
Put the Niokolo-Base online;
Improve the Niokolo-Base interface;
To train PNNK staff in the management and use of the Niokolo-Base.