The Nialama forest, which has a declared area of approximately 10,000 hectares (ha),
received the status of a classified state forest in 1943 by order of the Governor-General of French
West Africa. The boundaries, which extend for about 48 kilometers, were defined by
14 points (A to N). The first three points (A to C) were defined in terms of recognizable
physical traits; the others were defined in terms of east-west orientation (from a to 180
degrees) in relation to true north. The classified designation decree also defines the boundaries of
the 150 ha landlocked area that has been allocated to the two villages of Kagnégandé and Diawbhé
(see Appendix A: Legislative Orders and Directives, and Appendix B: Documents Relating
to the Nialama Forest Classified Appellation Ordinance).