Burkina Faso's natural environment includes savannas, forests, rivers and wetlands. These areas provide habitats and support water supplies, grazing, fishing and forest products. Their use and protection depend on the area, season, protection category, permits and the security situation. The living environment also varies widely. Conditions differ between Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, regional centres, peri-urban areas and rural communities. Reliable water access, sanitation, drainage, waste collection, air quality, green spaces and protection from climate-related hazards shape living conditions. Environmental assessment therefore requires looking at both natural resources and the quality of the surrounding settlement.
Environment in Burkina Faso
The environment in Burkina Faso includes both the natural world and the conditions in which people live. Dry Sahel landscapes in the north contrast with wetter Sudanian savannas in the south. Water, forests, wetlands, sanitation, drainage, waste management and public safety all affect daily life.
Tip
Treat environmental conditions in Burkina Faso as location-specific rather than uniform across the country. When assessing a place, prioritize reliable water, sanitation, drainage, waste management and current security conditions, then check nearby natural areas and seasonal hazards.