We need to save the Sahel!
November 5th 2010 03:24
We need to save the Sahel!
This region of Africa spreads from Northern Senegal across to Ethiopia and is of vital economic archaeological and ecological importance.
Maybe its inevitable Lake Chad will dry up but the process shouldnt be encouraged by pumping out water for irrigation of export crops that don't feed local fisherfolk or farmers who need clean water supplies.
The run off of rain during the wet season sustains communities of farmers all around the Darfur Plateau. Those farmers shouldnt lose their lands cos some greedy warlord who probably has long term plans to get mining rights supports pseudo Islamic militias.
I frequently see people post claiming there were no cities in Africa pre Islam but in the Sahel area there are dozens of sites barely touched. The habit of using mud brick probably means that as in Mesopotamia and Egypt people are working and living on top of the ruins of older settlements. We barely know any about the Sokoto people of southern Chad.
We need to save the Sahel but not just to save and explore our human heritage.
We need to restore the riverine forests of the Niger to slow down desertification and provide animal feed for both local and nomads.
We need to protect what's left of Lake Chad.
We need to drive the militias out of Fur before neglect cogs up and blocks irrigation systems beyond repair.
There are so many things that could be done!
This region of Africa spreads from Northern Senegal across to Ethiopia and is of vital economic archaeological and ecological importance.
Maybe its inevitable Lake Chad will dry up but the process shouldnt be encouraged by pumping out water for irrigation of export crops that don't feed local fisherfolk or farmers who need clean water supplies.
The run off of rain during the wet season sustains communities of farmers all around the Darfur Plateau. Those farmers shouldnt lose their lands cos some greedy warlord who probably has long term plans to get mining rights supports pseudo Islamic militias.
I frequently see people post claiming there were no cities in Africa pre Islam but in the Sahel area there are dozens of sites barely touched. The habit of using mud brick probably means that as in Mesopotamia and Egypt people are working and living on top of the ruins of older settlements. We barely know any about the Sokoto people of southern Chad.
We need to save the Sahel but not just to save and explore our human heritage.
We need to restore the riverine forests of the Niger to slow down desertification and provide animal feed for both local and nomads.
We need to protect what's left of Lake Chad.
We need to drive the militias out of Fur before neglect cogs up and blocks irrigation systems beyond repair.
There are so many things that could be done!
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