Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
(e)
Fauna:
Niger contains many biotopes of exceptional biodiversity represented by about
3,200 animal species (including invertebrates). It shelters the last specimen of
west African giraffes and many species of mammals and birds of international
importance through its network of protected sites in both desert and wetlands
(National park of W, National natural reserve of Air and Tenere, Termit, Tadress,
Gadabegi, Niger river parks etc.).
(f)
Watershed and wetlands:
There are two broad hydrographical basins:
-
Chad Lake basin;
-
River Niger basin.
The country counts 1.45 Mha of wetlands of international importance. Many
other, non classified, sites exist such as Tabalak (7,713 ha); Lassouri (32,740 ha),
Dan Doutchi (29,081 ha), the Goulbi and Koroma. Despite being landlocked,
Niger has a high potential of fish breeding. It is estimated that around 400,000 ha
in the watersheds (River Niger, and its tributary Komadougou Yobe, Lake Chad),
in 970 natural ponds and 69 artificial water reservoirs offer huge under-exploited
opportunities. In this regard, the progressive return of the waters to Lake Chad
gives hope for development of fishing activities.
3
Environmental Challenges
The vast landlocked West African country of Niger faces an increasing demand
upon its scarce water resources, the lack of which - when added to poor sanitation
and hygiene - results in high levels of death and disease among its 17 million
inhabitants.
Niger is one of the countries that form the Sahel Region which has seen recurring
drought, food insecurity, and increased desertification over the last 30 years, a
result - at least partly - of global climate change and overuse of scant natural
resources.
During the last few years, food insecurity and drought reached abnormally high
levels, prompting a response from the international community and an intensive
food security operation undertaken by the International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies.
Climatic aridity, natural resources deterioration, low economic growth, popula-
tion explosion and poverty combine, through their multiple links of cause and effect,
to define the major environmental problems in Niger, and most particularly the issue
of desertification. Better known now, these phenomena continue to create enormous
damage to the natural resources and overall environments, making the productions
and the living conditions of human communities uncertain and extremely precarious
(Fig.
10.3
).
The major challenges confronted by the national communities of those engaged
in agriculture and pastoralism are as follows (See also Table
10.1
).
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