Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
3.3
Sand Encroachment and Siltation of Watersheds
In their inexorable movement, the sands threaten to bury surface water like rivers
(Niger, the Komadougou and the Korama); the roads and other development
infrastructures. The sand dunes bury market gardens in the regions of Zinder and
Diffa. The lakes and ponds are also under threat. Finally, in the north-sahelian
band of the country, sand movement threatens croplands used for cereals by
compromising the seedlings and 'sterilizing' the croplands and pastureland under
a layer of pure sand because of the degradation of vegetal coverage.
3.4
Reduction of Animal Biodiversity
Many fauna species particularly the sahelo-saharan antelopes are under threat of
extinction (Addax,
Gazella dama
for example). Some species such as the
Oryx
spp
. are locally extinct. The park of W, created since 1954 is now facing the
problems of degradation and uncontrolled exploitation (poaching, illegal
use of
pasture
,
wood cutting
,
bush fire
,
encroachment by croplands
). Air-Tenere National
Natural Reserve (RNNAT) one of the largest World Heritage reserves (77,360 km
2
)
was since 1992 put by UNESCO in the list of endangered world heritage sites.
Little attention is given to the other reserves (Gadabeji, Tadress etc.) and the zones
adjacent to the protected sites. These reserves are also threatened by irreversible
degradation. There is a great concern about the proliferation of certain undesirable
species such as water hyacinth (
Eichhornia crassipes
),
Typha australis
,
Sida
cordifolia
both within the reserves and elsewhere.
4
The Responses to Environmental Degradation
Actions were taken by Niger and its partners in response to the various challenges
mentioned. Besides the political and institutional reforms courageously executed,
many field operations are undertaken. The achievements (below) give hope.
4.1
At the Political and Institutional Level
At the political level, the priority given to the improvement of the ecological
environment is clearly translated in the Strategy for Reducing Poverty (SRP)
and more explicitly, in the framework of the Strategy of Rural Development
(SRD). This strategy mainly focuses on the protection of the natural resources and
sustainable management. Finally, the government's recent declaration underlined
this priority and particularly the urgent need to implement the adopted orientations
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