Attenuation of the effects of desertification through sustainable development of Great Green Wall in the Sahel of Africa
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-02-2016-0021 |
| Date | 02 October 2017 |
| Pages | 279-289 |
| Published date | 02 October 2017 |
| Author | Njidda Mamadu Gadzama |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
Attenuation of the effects
of desertification through
sustainable development of Great
Green Wall in the Sahel of Africa
Njidda Mamadu Gadzama
Biotechnology Centre, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to develop the Great Green Wall (GGW) Project initially financed by
the United Nation’s Global Environment Facility Trust Fund, is a Pan African proposal in greening the
Sahel of Africafrom West (Dakar) to the East (Djibouti).It aims at reducing povertyand soil degradation in this
region, taking into account the effects of desertification and climate change on sustainability of livelihoods.
Design/methodology/approach –Several desertification attenuation projects in Nigeria are employing
different methods for maximum benefits obtainable from the objectives of the particular projects. As noted
above, however, the approach of GGW is to improve the alternative livelihoods of the people by their active
participating in the implementation of the project. It is also noted that environmental impact assessment,
community reconnaissance or needs assessments might be initial part of pre-project activities, thereby
making the communities more aware and educated of the impending environmental problems.
Findings –Desertification has reached an alarming state in Nigeria. The frontline desert threatened States of
Nigeria constitute 43 percent of the land mass of the country. With increased pressure of desertification,
exacerbated by a period of prolonged drought of more than 20 years, climate change and human activities,
it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain sustainability in the management of the fragile lands and the
region’s ecosystem. Strategic interventions in combating the problem of desertification in Nigeria have
attenuated some of the detrimental social, economic and environmental impacts on the affected communities.
Programmes and projects have strengthened the resilience of the people, participating in sand dune
stabilization, the Great Green Wall Sahara Sahel Initiative, including shelterbelt developments. Government
has sustained inputs in environmentally friendly agriculture and also encouraged synergetic collaborative
activities with international and national NGOs, international agencies and local institutions.
Originality/value –These results/activities give evidence of the increased public awareness of
environmental degradation due to desertific ation and climate change in Nigeria; the realization
in environmental stabilization needs with ready participation of the communities for improved livelihoods
in environmental activities and arid agriculture as supported by the National Great Green Wall (NAGGW)
program of the country; resulting in internalization of these projects supporting livelihoods for sustainability
in the Sahel of Nigeria.
Keywords Change management, Climatic threats
Paper type Case study
Introduction
The purpose of developing the Great Green Wall (GGW) project initially financed by the
United Nation’s Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund, is a Pan African proposal in
greening the Sahel of Africa from West (Dakar) to the East (Djibouti). It aims at reducing
poverty and soil degradation in this region, taking into account the effects of desertification
and climate change on sustainability of livelihoods. It also aims at tackling poverty and the
degradation of soils in the Sahel-Saharan region, focusing on a strip of land of 15km (9 mi)
wide and 7,100km (4,400 mi) long from Dakar to Djibouti(Global Environment Facility, 2013).
The concept of GGWI was initiated by the vision of a GGW to combat ecological
degradation which was conceived in 2005 by the former President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and in consultation, the idea was strongly supported by
President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal. The vision evolved into an integrated ecosystem
management approach in January 2007, when the African Union (AU) adopted declaration
World Journal of Science,
Technology and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 14 No. 4, 2017
pp. 279-289
© Emerald PublishingLimited
2042-5945
DOI10.1108/WJSTSD-02-2016-0021
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
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279
Great Green
Wall in the
Sahel of Africa
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