A Survey of Water Sources for Households around the Yankari Game Reserve, Nigeria

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In the second half of the 20th century, the decline in rainfall from the early 1970s to the mid-1990s caused a 25–35km shift southward in the West African savannah ecological zones, resulting inwater stress experienced in this region.Further compoundingthe water stress is other factors such asthe extent to which the water is potable and accessible. Theseconditions are worse,particularly,in rural communities in northern Nigeria. This study surveys thesources of water supply for households around the Yankari Game Reserve, Nigeria (Yankari). A field survey, (using focus group discussions and uestionnaire survey of 122 households were conducted in five local communities (Dagudi, Galen sanji, Jada, Yalo and Pali) in Yankari to explore sources and uses of water in the area. Major findings suggest that the Gaji River has the most potential as the main source of water for domestic uses and animal watering as reported by 75% of the households surveyed. It is also the main source of water for animals and plants in the park. Other sources of water with potentials include four warm water springs: Wikki, Dimmil, Gwana and Mawulgo springs. Tungan Naliki is the fifth spring and the onlycool spring in Yankari. The Wikki warm spring is the largest and only water spring that has been explored. However, the Yankari communities do not have immediate access to the Wikki spring neither do they have any tap water connection, Rather, they rely on hand dug wells, bore holes and direct rainfall collection during the rainy season but suffer adverse scarcity of water in the dry season. Nevertheless, the Gaji River and the Yankari water springs are potential sources of water for the surrounding local communities. The study recommends further studies on the quantity and quality of water from these sources.