THE CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES IN GEDAREF, SUDAN

Abstract

ABSTRACTStudies in several countries in Africa using remote sensing and conventional aerial photography indicate acute land degradation, which is an issue of global concern as it poses a great threat to stability of world climate, biodiversity and geodiversity. Mechanized scheme farms schemes in Sudan are perceived as a major cause of environmental degradation and land losses. Investigations were thus conducted within forests reserves and natural forests sites in the Gedaref area in eastern Sudan where mechanized farmers and traditional land users inside and outside forests reserves represented the target categories for the study. The target groups were interviewed to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes and perceptions with respect to the causes of environmental degradation of soil, forests, agricultural productivity and animal resources. Interviews were conducted among 162 farmers in addition to group discussion among key informants. The results are presented as descriptive statistics, which indicate that forest conversion to agriculture associated with over‐cutting has been the main factor contributing to land degradation in Gedaref State. The results also indicate that there are other causes that include sectoral policies that contradict each other, affecting land ownership. The present study demonstrates the need for integrated policies to facilitate sustainable use and management based on local community's partnership and to encourage communal property rights and local‐level institutional regimes that ensure sustainable resource management and protection of biodiversity and geodiversity across Sudan. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.