Palm wine harvesting by the Bassari threatens Borassus aethiopum populations in north-western Guinea

The use of the palm tree Borassus aethiopum Mart (Coryphoideae) by the Bassari ethnic group in the Republic of Guinea was studied. Ethnic groups have multiple uses for B. aethiopum throughout its distribution in tropical Africa. The Bassari use this palm mostly as a palm wine resource. As their harvesting technique leads to the death of the palm, the populations of this species are highly endangered in the area populated by the Bassari. The fast decline of an important resource has recently gained attention at governmental level. In order to conserve the populations of this palm, it is essential to understand whether the Bassari use a lethal technique because of socio-economic reasons or due to a lack of knowledge. The present study aims to answer this question. We collected the data in the north-western part of the Republic of Guinea in May 1996 by field observations and by using 'Rapid Rural Appraisal' tools consisting of interactive interviews with palm wine harvesters, collectors, carriers and sellers. After constructing a woody ladder fixed to the stem the Bassari extract the sap by cutting a hole into the palm heart and by removing a small part of the palm heart two times per day. Individual trees produce on average 10 l per day. After 35-45 days the sap production ceases and the palm dies. A harvester kills on average 56 individuals of B. aethiopum per year. As a consequence of this lethal technique exploiters have to constantly move through and between palm populations. There is no reforestation of the degraded areas. The palm wine extraction of B. aethiopum is the main activity of the Bassari for 7 months of the year. For harvesters, collectors, carriers and sellers, palm wine extraction provides one of the most important annual incomes. The harvester pays a monthly tax of USD 5 to the forestry administration. Despite its economic importance, the Bassari palm wine harvesters range B. aethiopum as the sixth most important plant species in the area. The paradoxical situation of a community that threatens a resource that it is highly dependent on may be explained by the following circumstances. Firstly, the exploiters seek a maximum profit on a short term basis. Secondly, the exploiters apparently do not take into consideration the total value of other potential products from the Borassus. Thirdly, the Bassari do not have an important tradition for exploiting B. aethiopum so that there is no apparent cultural alliance between the Bassari and the palm. Finally, the rules and regulations for harvesting Borassus products favour quick profit. The extinction of the palm population studied can be expected within about 25 years if no protection measure is taken.