Assessment of Community Participation for Combating Desertification

Abstract

In Sudan as result of repeated drought cycle in 1980 where the problem of desertification emerged on the area under threat of desertification in the north part of Sudan, where the desert encroachment has affected entire villages and engulfed away fertile cultivable land, which is a narrow stripe also the natural tree cover depletes every year, yet replanting has been virtually non existing. This study aimed to assessing the role of local community's participation of the SOS project which has been implemented for desertification control in Shendi area. The methods used for data collection based on, general survey, questionnaire, interviews, project reports and other sources of secondary data. Three villages has been randomly selected and surveyed (wad Klian – Eltragema Elgaba – AlAbdotab), covering 66 households. Twenty two respondents from each village were randomly interviewed. The results showed that the project has succeeded in combating desertification by establishing shelterbelts, around the villages and farms, also increasing the vegetation cover at the area. The results also show that the project depends on local community in the implementation of their activities and this would lead to successful and sustainable of project activities. Also results show that the project implementation of heavy extension program leads to increase the environmental awareness of the people and teach them how to deal with nurseries, seedling and others items to combat sand encroachment. Also results show that project depend on Mesquite tree as the shelterbelts species and these trees succeeded in both combating desertification and have economic impact on the life of the people in the study area. The study recommended that local communities may considered before establishing the projects, and more extension work is needed to promot the people. Also comprehensive research to find a concrete solution to the problem of sand encroachment is required.