Chris Reij (Image: Chris de Bode) The village of Galma in the Maggia valley of the Tahoua Region in 1975… (courtesy Gray Tappan) … and then in 2003 (courtesy Gray Tappan) The Maradi Region in Niger; almost barren in 1985, it now grows a high density mix of trees, bushes, grasses and crops (courtesy Chris Reij)
Returning to Africa after a 10 year absence, Chris Reij could barely believe his eyes. On the arid margins of the Sahara in Niger, all he could see were trees. It was no mirage: after studying land use in Africa for three decades, he…
