"water: source for conflict or cooperation? an african perspective." prof. isiorho (phd),...
TRANSCRIPT
"Water: Source for conflict or cooperation?
An African Perspective."
Prof. Isiorho (PhD), Dept of Geosciences
Water
“Water is indispensable for life, not only for drinking water, but also for raising crops for food. Fishing provides a major source of protein for much of the world's population. Throughout history, cities and villages have grown up near sources of water, for drinking, sustenance, and transportation.
… Water-borne diseases remain a significant source of mortality in many developing countries.”
How do we get our water?
We only pay attention when there is water related problem in the news
Pesticides…latest news… March 4, 2006
Talk Outline
Long Introduction Hydrologic (Water) cycle Water availability
Water Conflicts: Fact or Myth?...Reasons for ConflictHistorical Perspective 1990s
Water Conflicts by Regions By regions:
Middle East, Asia, Central America, North America & Africa
Lake Chad Basin Sources of water Nature of Lake Chad Nature & importance of Lake Chad Conflicts… Limiting factors Solutions
Conclusion
Introduction
Water
Nearly one third of the world population (~4 billion people) will experience severe water shortage within the next 20 years
Hydrologic cycle
All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full: unto the place where the rivers come thither they return again. Eccl. 1:7
WaterWhat do you know about water?Surface water-Rivers & -Lakes
Ground water
Introduction
Surface watersThere are over 214 major rivers shared by
two or more countries e.g. Amazon, Euphrates, Danube, Jordan, Niger
About 97 % of surface water in Egypt is from outside the nation
GroundwaterPrecipitation…1/3 runoff, 1/3 evaporation & 1/3 groundwater
Sources of groundwater… precipitation, lakes, rivers, storm retention ponds and wastewater treatment… cesspool, septic system
What is groundwater?
Aquifer- Open & Closed
Water Availability: Sample countries
Water Related Conflicts
Are there really water related conflicts?
Potential Reasons for Conflict
Unequal distribution of water
Inefficient water use
Increase in Population
Pollution
Rising Cost of water Inflexibility, inefficient,and inequitable agreements
for managing waters
Control (Politics) Much of world’s most accessible freshwater
supplies are located in basins and aquifers that cross international borders
Resolving ConflictsTwo Traditional Doctrines
Doctrine of unlimited territorial sovereignty states that a country has exclusive rights to the waters within its territory.. First used by US (India is doing the same)
Unlimited Territorial integrity states that one country cannot alter the quantity and quality of water available to another (Egypt)
Equitable and reasonable use
Water Related Conflicts Historical Perspective
. 1503 Florence and Pisa warring states military tool (MT)1642 China Ming Dynasty (MT)1863 United States Civil War US Grant (MT)1898 Egypt; France and Britain MT and Political
Water Related Conflicts Historical Perspective Contd.
1944-1945 Multiple parties Military targets involving German, Italy, Britain, United States … Isoletta Dam (Liri R.) British Royal Air Force bombed dams on Mohne, Sorpe, Eder Rivers .. Killing 1,200 & destroying dams downstream
Flooding of area occupied by US troop, Ay river valley flooded, and also flooding of II River valley creating a lake 16 km long, 3-6 Km wide and 1-2 meters deep
Water Related Conflicts in the 1990s
1991 Iraq Kuwait
1995 Ecuador Peru military over head waters of Cenepa River
1997 Singapore, Malaysia Political
1999 Lusaka Zambia terrorism on water pipe line to city of Lusaka (3 m people)
1999 Kosovo Terrorism contamination of water supplies/wells
1999-2000 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia .. Zambezi/Chobe rivers border dispute and access to water
Water Conflicts by Regions
Middle East
Arab-Israel-
Rivers & Groundwater
1948 Arabs Israelis … Arab forces cut off West Jerusalem water supply
Water Conflicts by Regions
Middle East
TurkeyEuphrates
Water Conflicts by Regions
Asia
Ganges – originates in China passing through Nepal
Especially between Bangladesh and Indian
India versus Pakistan over the Indus River
Water Conflicts by Regions
Central AmericaMexico and GuatemalaUsumacinte, Suchiate and Grijala Rivers
originate in Guatemala and enter into Mexico…. Agreement based on principle of equitable, rational and optimum utilization
Water Conflicts by Regions
North America
Rio Grande, Colorado and Tijuan rivers between US and Mexico
Water Conflicts by Regions
Africa
West Africa- Lake Chad
Sources of Water
Surface Rain …May to September Rivers…Chari/Lagone, ElBeid Lakes…Lake Chad Ponds…
Groundwater Shallow Deep
Nature of Lake Chad
Watershed
Productivity
Size
Depth
Shoreline
Lake Chad Basin
ProductivityFish & Others
Size & Depth
Shoreline (Dec. 2002)
Importance of Lake Chad
Political Boundary
Provides Protein (Fish)
Importance of Lake Chad
Provides jobs
Provides water
Importance of Lake Chad
Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo appeals to the UN Development Programme and other international agencies for help in reversing the gradual recession and degradation of Lake Chad, once the world's sixth largest,"Your vision for the people of the Lake Chad basin must have at its core the security and well-being of the suffering masses as well as the unity of the member-nations," In Abuja at the opening of the 47th session of the Lake Chad Basin Commission Copyright (c) UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2000-0003bA-00 (Wednesday 8 March)
Potential for Conflict in Lake Chad
Limiting Factors
Possible Solutions
Limiting factor: Main Source
The major source of water…Lake
Limiting Factor: Who fetches Water
Who does the water fetching?
Limiting Factor: Distance & labor Involved
Distance
Load/work 50 lbs of water
Limiting Factor: Nature of Water
Nature of water Safety
Limiting Factors
Global Climate Change
Limiting Factors
Droughts
Climatic Effect
Limiting Factors: Conflicts
Changing Shorelines
Flux in Boundary demarcation
Limiting Factor: Population
Population
Limiting Factors: Water rights
Water rights
Limiting Factor: Pollution
Pollution
Limiting Factor: Education
Education
Limiting Factors
None involvement of Stakeholders
Possible Solution(s)
Management strategy interpretation and dissemination of informationeliminate water wasting projects involve stakeholdersconjunctive surface & ground water use
Possible Solution(s)
Role of Lake Chad Basin Commissioncoordinate data collection/management
Members states of the commission, formed in 1964 to ensure optimal use of the lake basin's water resources, are Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.
The commission is also supposed to coordinate the planning and implementation of all regional projects of the lake basin, review complaints and help settle disputes.
Summary
There are potential water related conflict areas around the world.
Would need Scientific input- Hydrology Conjunctive use of surface and ground water
Stakeholders Involvement
Education A two-way process
Conclusions
Cooperation is better than
Conflict