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LAKE CHAD |
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After the 2015 general elections in Nigeria which produced Rtd. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as the President of Nigeria, I silently feared for the environment sector as his disposition before and during the election, in my opinion, offered little or no hope to the sector but if current developments are anything to go by, then my fears are effectively dashed for good.
In his first major statement regarding the Nigerian ministry of environment, the President on Monday, directed the ministry to look into the 1920 report which proposed ways to prevent the drying of the famous and economically viable Lake Chad. The president gave the order after listening to the permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Ms. Fatima Mede, speak on issues concerning her ministry. Lake Chad is largest lake in the Chad basin and the fourth largest surface in Africa but has suffered a terrible dip in the last 95 years since the report was submitted. The country Chad, got its name from the lake with Chad meaning "large expanse of water". The lake- which provides water to about 68 million people from Nigeria, Chad,Cameroon and Niger living around the area- has reduced from 33,000square kilometers to 300square kilometers in the last two decades representing a massive quick decline. This has affected the economic activities supported by the once booming lake. The fishermen operating in that area are having a tough time on the job as the availability of fishes decline with the lake. The lake used to be home to about 179 species of fishes but that's disappointingly far from the case now. Farmers,traders and the livelihood of the inhabitants of that area has since been shook. Accelerated demands on the lake by humans have been blamed for the shrinking of the lake while the UNEP and Lake Chad basin commission are unanimous in their belief that the lake's woos are largely due to shifting climate partners. The UNEP also cited human water demands such as inefficient damming and irrigation methods for the rest of the lake's retreat. Again, a Journal of Geophysical Research study published in 2001 suggests that the lake's retreat owes much to overgrazing in the land surrounding the lake hence causing desertification in the area. However, during the course of my research on lake Chad, I discovered a study by European Space Agency that suggests an increase in the lake Chad between 1985 and 2011. There are also reports that "as of late December 2014, lake Chad was still sufficient in size such that boats could sink or capsize". Anyhow we look at it, there are some serious issues with lake Chad and we have to act now more than ever. I have not seen the 1920 Lake Chad report and no media house, as I write this, have been able to come up with the report but I am hoping that the ministry of environment makes the report available to the public as soon as possible but the fact remains that this is one of the many obvious drastic effects of climate change. It is the perfect example of how climate change can create huge unemployment and also create poverty out of a once booming livelihood if we don't act fast. I am really hoping that my country act fast on this and prevent the beloved lake Chad from drying up as well as restoring the livelihood of the inhabitants of the area. It is a very important lake in West Africa. I will write to the ministry of environment to make the report public and also keep reminding the federal government of the need to act fast if they delay further. We just have to save lake Chad. Photo 1 & 2: Wikipedia Photo 3: wwf.Panda.org Photo 4: voices.nationalgeographic.com Photo 5: venturesafrica.com
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6 Comments
It's such depressing knowing that such huge natural resource of water , which provides water to so many people is vanishing . It's all due to us . We never realize the need of such resources until they vanish or start depleting !
Posted 07-08-2015 13:52
Wow! this is an great news to know the deep concern of new president in Neigeria regarding Lake Chad. Due to anthropogenic climate change and overexploitation the lake has shrunken but with effective measures and management can be restored well.
Just hope that government works in collaboration with local community for this task so that the achievement is sustainable.
Thank you for sharing dear Udeh :)
Posted 07-08-2015 10:02
It is really sad and highly unfortunate that Lake Chad which was once one of the largest water bodies in Africa, is disappearing. Hope the World Bank , UNEP and Chadian government are able to work out strong and effective strategies to revive and restore such a precious water and livelihood resource .
Posted 07-08-2015 04:41
UDEH, thanks for sharing about Lake Chad!! I hope the lake can be revived! =)
Posted 07-08-2015 04:06
Humans are responsible for shrinking of Lake Chad & its their responsibility to make is big again. The benefit will be shared by them only.
Nature is the biggest giver.
Well reported Udeh.
Posted 07-08-2015 03:05
Lake Chad must be restored to its glory by all means. Pls do write to the ministry & other bodies, Udeh, I know you are a crusader for environment & will succeed.
All the best.
Posted 07-08-2015 02:23