Strategies de gestion durable des ressources naturelles: Application au complexe lac Nokoue-Lagune de Porto-Novo au Benin (French text)

This study is situated within the framework of environmental disruptions that result from the overexploitation of water bodies in African countries, and in particular, Benin. Based on a global perspective, it examines the links between the exploitation of water resources and the conservation of biological diversity, ecosystem integrity and improved living the local population.; After demonstrating the dialectical relationship between “society and nature”, we develop strategic paths that should be followed in order to ensure the sustainable management of natural ecosystems. Our assumption is as follows: The absence of women in natural resources management and the loss of knowledge and traditional practices have a negative effect on the strategies aiming at sustainable development.; The methodology consists in first identifying an harmonious configuration of human development and natural resources conservation. In fact, the environmental crisis of the Lake Nokoue/Porto-Novo Laguna complex raises the problem of defining an appropriate natural resources conservation philosophy. The literature review demonstrates that a dynamic balance between human needs and natural resources is necessary to achieve agreement on the conservation of biological diversity. Therefore, we have adopted a management approach that accounts for the social, economic and cultural realities of the human environment as well as ecological realities.; Our results reveal that the balance of the Lake Nokoue/Porto-Novo Laguna complex is very often disturbed by inappropriately planned development practices. Endogenous strategies of rational resources development were governed and regulated by a framework based on the ways and customs mainly related to “vodun”.; In conclusion, we note a certain human dynamic that is harmful to natural ecosystems. The challenge consists in meeting human needs while ensuring that the functioning of natural ecosystems is not compromised in the long term. The reappropriation of responsibilities (of the whole natural resources management process) by the lake communities, the acknowledgement of the importance of women in the natural resources management and the protection of traditional knowledge constitute the fundamental dimensions of strategies proposed new management. It is important to emphasize the durability of the contributions of traditional institutions to the conservation of biological diversity. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...