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French colonial environmental attitudes

A dialog on H-Africa list (incomplete)
December 1995

Have a look at the bibliography of Richard Grove's new book GREEN IMPERIALISM. There is loads of stuff...

Date sent: Mon, 11 Dec 1995
From: Catherine Coquery-Vidrovitch
<coquery@ccr.jussieu.fr>

On French colonial attitudes towards wildlife, the environment, and conservation: there has been recently (last year, I believe) an ORSTOM conference on the topic, not published for the moment, but texts must be in ORSTOM library, rue La Fayette, Paris. This library is certainly one of the best on the question. See also the fund of BDPA (Bureau pour le Developpement des produits agricoles, or something of the kind), or also the Institut forestier Tropical, and others of the kind, founded in 1947 onwards.

Few dissertations on the topic I am afraid. I may indicate one I directed at Universite Paris-7-Denis Diderot, by Claire Bernard. It is not well written or conceptualized, but very strong on documentation. It deals with "Amenagements du fleuve Senegal from the beginning to 1945". To be consulted at the Center of Research of "Laboratoire Tiers-Mondes, Afrique. Societes en Developpement dans l'Espace et le Temps", open Mo. to Fr. from 12 to 6 pm except Th. and holidays (2 Place Jussieu 75005. Tour 34-44, 3rd floor, room 311) : when French strikes will be over!

Date sent: Tue, 12 Dec 1995
From: MONICA VAN BEUSEKOM, SUNY-Plattsburgh <VANBEUM@splava.cc.plattsburgh.edu>

One place to begin exploring French environmental attitudes is in the geographical and agricultural journals of the colonial era. French officials and experts wrote extensively on such issues as desertification, forestry, and agricultural methods. I would be happy to pass along some citations in any of these areas as they relate to the sahel and Soudan Francais in particular.