Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
The general priorities in desertification in Egypt as presented in the NEAP
tackled several issues, these are:
•
Degradation of irrigated farmland as a result of using low quality water in
irrigation.
•
Degradation of rain-fed farmland (northern coastal belt and northern Sinai
rainfall 100-250 mm), for insufficient water harvesting and water spreading
processes.
•
Degradation of rangeland (northern coastal belt) through overgrazing, degrada-
tion of plant cover.
•
Encroachment of sand formations, especially from the Western desert, on the
Nile Valley land (southern Egypt) and on the High Aswan Dam reservoir (in
Egypt and Sudan).
•
To formulate meaningful options that ensure that the introduction of irrigation
into the area does not threaten the sustainable use of the marginal land or the
livelihoods of the present local population.
•
To conserve the ecosystem from invading pests and pollutants.
•
To provide and enhance green areas for better and healthier microclimatic
conditions.
•
To formulate rational and innovative policies for waste management treatment
and reuse of solids and effluents.
•
To promote public awareness campaigns dealing with environmental issues using
all available media means.
•
To develop environmental institutional aspects with appropriate capacity building
and training in issues specific to characteristics of the surrounding ecosystems.
•
To combat damaging flash floods through appropriate water spreading and water
conservation techniques; and to prevent and alleviate damages of flash floods
to the infrastructures and available resources including adverse socio-economic
impacts.
•
To conserve, manage and utilize the highly valued and diversified natural flora
and fauna resources.
The Desert Research Center works towards solving these problems (Box
6.2
).
Box 6.2: Role of the Desert Research Center Arab Republic of Egypt
Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation
Desert Research Center is the Oldest Organization for Research and Develop-
ment in the Desert and Newly Reclaimed Regions of Egypt.
Objectives
•
Investigating desert potential for agricultural development.
•
Carrying out studies on behalf of government institutions, societies and
small landholders.
(continued)
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