environmental degradation as a cause of conflict in - Steiner Graphics

IntroductionTHE Greater Darfur region occupies an area of five hundred thousand square kilometresapproximately, in the north western part of the Sudan, located betweenthe parallels 08:15 and 20:00 North and 22:00 and 27:30 East. The desert partextends from north of parallel 16:00 to 20:00 in an area of about one hundred andforty-five thousand square kilometers representing twenty-eight percent of the totalarea of the region. The desert part is virtually unoccupied and therefore it hasno human activities that utilize water or land for agriculture or range.The region mainly consists of four main climatic zones. Firstly, the rich savannain the south with an average rain fall between 400 mm to 800 mm per year; therainy season extends between 4 to 5 months. Secondly, the poor savanna in themiddle of the region, with an average annual rainfall that ranges between 200 to400 mm and a rainy season ranging between 3 to 4 months. Thirdly, is the arid zonewhich occupies the middle of northern parts of the region. The rainfall in this zoneis limited, with high fluctuations and ranges from 100 to 300 mm. The fourth zoneis the desert zone and it is characterized by lack of rainfall and high temperaturesduring the summer.Topography: Darfur is sandy and qoz soils occupy the major parts and formabout sixty-five percent of the northern parts of the region and 10 to 15% of thesouthern parts. The mountainous and hilly lands perform the middle part and it isrepresented by Jebel Marra plateau, and in the north it is represented by MeidobHills. Clay and gardud soils occupy the western and south western parts and somepockets in the north.Jebel Marra Plateau acts as a watershed division and from which flows most ofthe seasonal streams and wadis such as Wadi Barei, Wadi Azoom, and these flowto the west and southwest of the region. In turn, Wadi Al Ku, Wadi Taweela, WadiKuttum, Wadi AlKaj flow towards the east and south eastern part. Wadi Kas, WadiBulbul and others flow towards the south and southeast of South Darfur. Some ofthese wadis retain water in some areas which helps in utilizing the water of theshallow wells to grow vegetables and horticultural crops (Kabkabiya, Kuttum, Garsilaetc).The deep water aquifers of Baggara, Sag Anaam, and Umbayada basins aregood potential sources of drinking water for the people and animals in the northeastern and south eastern parts of the region.The rainfalls in autumn and floods as well as shallow wells are the cornerstones forthe Darfurian socioeconomic activities for providing food and other forms of livelihood.These economic activities are mainly agriculture and include the raising oflivestock. However, since the two activities depend on water and land, competitionbetween the users of these resources is a reality.The present Darfur crisis which is the focus of the national and international media34