Chinguetti: A Historic City Under Threat from Desertification and Climate Change
Chinguetti, a historic city in Mauritania, is under threat from advancing desert sands exacerbated by climate change. Residents witness their homes slowly being engulfed, with efforts to combat this crisis proving largely inadequate. Notable community leaders express urgency for action, as the local environment deteriorates, and cultural heritage faces significant risks.
Chinguetti, a historic trans-Saharan trading post in Mauritania, is facing existential threats from encroaching desert sands. Once a vital center for poets, scholars, and theologians, the city, which houses ancient manuscripts and libraries, is suffering from severe desertification. Residents now witness their homes being gradually consumed by shifting dunes, a dire consequence of climate change, which is bringing increasing sandstorms and shrinking rainfall.
As climate conditions worsen, tree-planting initiatives have been introduced to combat the advancing sands, but their efficacy remains limited. Chinguetti, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is especially vulnerable, as less than one percent of Mauritania’s land is arable. This region, which significantly contributes to Islamic heritage with its aged manuscripts, faces alarming ecological changes.
Community leader Melainine Med El Wely articulates the profound distress felt by residents as the desert draws near. His memories of the past starkly contrast with the current state, where formerly inhabited areas are now completely buried in sand. He emphasizes the slow-motion disaster unfolding, with the relentless advance of sand dramatically altering the neighborhood landscape.
Research supports his concerns, indicating that desertification is accelerating and desert landscapes are reactivating at an unprecedented pace. Andreas Baas, an earth scientist, expresses alarm at the deteriorating situation, citing a projected increase in desert-like conditions that was once considered a far-fetched possibility.
The United Nations Reports alarmingly reveal that a significant portion of the Earth’s land has become drier over recent decades, threatening the survival of flora and fauna. The document attributes the escalating aridity and resultant migrations to human-induced climate change, which exacerbates water scarcity and disease.
In Chinguetti, these changes are already evident; declining water sources and deteriorating living conditions impact the livelihoods of residents. Farmers like Salima Ould Salem face growing challenges in sustaining their date palms. As local families leave, their empty homes become further susceptible to impending desertification.
The loss of trees, which previously offered protection from sand, has left the area exposed. Residents, struggling with the relentless encroachment of sand, rely on manual labor to remove it due to street constraints. Mohamed Lemine Bahane, a retired teacher, notes that the reduction of vegetation facilitates sand movement, escalating the crisis.
Despite some attempts to implement a solution through tree planting, challenges abound as time is needed for the roots to reach groundwater. Community efforts advocate for increased tree cover to form protective barriers against the advancing desert, aligning with broader initiatives like Africa’s “Great Green Wall.”
The community remains cautiously hopeful in the face of dire predictions. El Wely insists that while desertification is seen as inevitable, there remains a collective determination to resist its full impact, emphasizing that concerted efforts to combat these changes are essential.
In summary, Chinguetti, a UNESCO World Heritage site, confronts the dual crises of climate change and desertification, threatening its historical value and the livelihoods of its residents. Despite community efforts to combat the encroaching sands through tree planting and local initiatives, the situation remains critical. The ongoing shift towards a more arid environment underscores the urgency of addressing climate impacts and preserving this culturally significant region for future generations.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
