The Lake City of Ganvié in the Face of Environmental Development Challenges: A Review of the Literature
Behanzin Précieux Christian
*
Laboratory of Anthropology and Sociology of Environmental, Educational, Rural and Gender Dynamics (LASDEERG), Multidisciplinary Doctoral School on Spaces, Culture and Development (EDP-ECD), University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin and Laboratory of Hygiene, Sanitation Ecotoxicology Environment Health (HECOTES), Interfaculty Center of Training and Research in Environment for Sustainable Development (CIFRED), University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
Agbandji Lucien
Laboratory of Anthropology and Sociology of Environmental, Educational, Rural and Gender Dynamics (LASDEERG), Multidisciplinary Doctoral School on Spaces, Culture and Development (EDP-ECD), University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
Hekpazo Patricia
Laboratory of Hygiene, Sanitation Ecotoxicology Environment Health (HECOTES), Interfaculty Center of Training and Research in Environment for Sustainable Development (CIFRED), University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
Sainou Jadix
Laboratory of Hygiene, Sanitation Ecotoxicology Environment Health (HECOTES), Interfaculty Center of Training and Research in Environment for Sustainable Development (CIFRED), University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
Hounkponou Edouard
Beninese Center for Scientific Research and Innovation (CBRSI), Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Benin.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Ganvié is a lake city in Benin, West Africa, known for its unique architecture and culture. However, the city is facing numerous environmental challenges that threaten the livelihoods and culture of its inhabitants. This article presents a comprehensive literature review of the environmental challenges facing Ganvié, their drivers, consequences, existing interventions and policies, and potential solutions. The state of the environment around the city of Ganvié is highly contaminated, due to the various pollutions caused by waste and wastewater, the decomposition of acadjas, petroleum products that spill into the lake during transportation, etc. However, the impacts of climate change, combined with increasing demographic pressure, are threatening the way of life of the inhabitants.
Solving these problems will require a combination of community engagement, policy interventions and technological innovations.
Keywords: Environmental challenges, pollutions, sustainable development, Ganvié, Lake Nokoué