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  • Title: [In the Sahel, can nature again support its population?].
    Author: Thiaw I.
    Journal: Pop Sahel; 1994 May; (20):38-46. PubMed ID: 12288134.
    Abstract:
    In 1992, population density in the Sahel was 8 inhabitants/sq. km compared to 56 inhabitants/sq. km for all of Africa. Yet, Mauritania, for example, which has the lowest population density in Africa (2 inhabitants/sq. km), has very high population density when considering arable lands (620 inhabitants/sq. km). Extensive agricultural and livestock practices are the principal activities of the people in the Sahel. Rapid population growth, exploitation of natural resources, low soil productivity, and consequences of an extremely fragile environment constitute a major constraint in the Sahel. Population growth in the Sahel and the rise in the population's needs are above the carrying capacity of the fragile ecosystems which characterize the Sahel. Sahelian leaders have made food self-sufficiency a priority in their population policies. The consequences of population growth in the Sahel are an increase in food needs, a reduction of fallow periods, an expansion of agricultural zones, and an increase in domestic energy needs causing deforestation. If the Sahel continues on this course, a serious famine as well as socioeconomic repercussions could affect the region. To counter this course, a real policy of decentralization of power followed by revision of legal texts on management of natural resources and adaption of the technical framework to decentralize and bring it back to the producers' advantage are needed. Sahelian populations accept projects for lack of confidence, reverence to authority, profit, and political reasons. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) need to lead the way towards management of natural resources. Yet, there are only few environmental NGOs in the Sahel. Arid conditions in the Sahel are often used as a reason to avoid finding solutions. A revision of agricultural policies, transferring more and more responsibility to the people for the management of natural resources, and changes in fertility behavior are needed.
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