Land Use and Misuse Problems in Sudan By Mohamed Elamin Abdelrahman Nov. 2006

1-Sudan Area: 2, km 2. Extends over five agro-climatic zones. Highly diversified in all aspects. 65.4% of the population depend on natural resources to sustain their livelihoods. 1-Sudan Area: 2, km 2. Extends over five agro-climatic zones. Highly diversified in all aspects. 65.4% of the population depend on natural resources to sustain their livelihoods.

1- Natural Resources – stock taking 1.1-Geography: North east Africa. Based on climate and topography the country is divided into several geographical regions Climate: Rainfall mm/annum. Temp: >40 o c in summer o c in winter.

1.3- Geology: -Basement complex is the most extensive formation (non-bearing). -Nubian sand stone, Umruwaba series and Elatshan are the most important water bearing formations. 1.4-Soils: -UNESCO-FAO (1971) identified nearly 100 soil categories. Out of them: 1.3- Geology: -Basement complex is the most extensive formation (non-bearing). -Nubian sand stone, Umruwaba series and Elatshan are the most important water bearing formations. 1.4-Soils: -UNESCO-FAO (1971) identified nearly 100 soil categories. Out of them:

-Xerosols: Extensively used for grazing and cropping. -Arenosols: Found in western Sudan. Extensively used for cultivation. -Vertisols: The widest spread soil in Sudan. -Fluvisols: Found throughout the Nile Valley and the major Wadis. -Xerosols: Extensively used for grazing and cropping. -Arenosols: Found in western Sudan. Extensively used for cultivation. -Vertisols: The widest spread soil in Sudan. -Fluvisols: Found throughout the Nile Valley and the major Wadis.

1.5 Vegetation: Divided into5 main zones. Desert, Semi -desert, Low rainfall wood land savanna, High rainfall wood land savanna, Flood and Montane Zones. 1.6 wildlife. 1.7 Forestry. 1.8 Water Resources: -Surface Water (rivers, wadis and swamps). - Ground water. 1.5 Vegetation: Divided into5 main zones. Desert, Semi -desert, Low rainfall wood land savanna, High rainfall wood land savanna, Flood and Montane Zones. 1.6 wildlife. 1.7 Forestry. 1.8 Water Resources: -Surface Water (rivers, wadis and swamps). - Ground water.

2. Land use 2.1 Agriculture: -Nearly half of the country area is suitable for agriculture. -Only 8-10% is currently used. -Forms of Agric. : Traditional rain fed, Rain fed Mechanized farming, Irrigated agric. And associated activities as gum production.

2.2 Range and livestock: Much of Sudan surface area is more suitable for livestock grazing than cultivation. 3- Land Tenure - Land is central issue. Means for basic survival. Individual and tribal bride. Sources of potential exploitation and conflict.

3.1- Land Tenure Systems: +Traditional: The concept of the customary tribal homeland is the most important constituent. +Modern: Under which land is registered as private or state property. Most tribal lands were registered as state property resulting in so many conflicts.

3.2 Land tenure, rural poverty and conflicts:+Laws and land decrees have undermined the legal rights of the rural communities. +Land is subjected to privatization and commercial speculation that resulted in (modified land tenure systems, alienation of agro- pastoralists from their traditional homelands, competition and conflicts over land … etc.) 3.2 Land tenure, rural poverty and conflicts:+Laws and land decrees have undermined the legal rights of the rural communities. +Land is subjected to privatization and commercial speculation that resulted in (modified land tenure systems, alienation of agro- pastoralists from their traditional homelands, competition and conflicts over land … etc.)

4- Misuse problems +Land related problems (Decline soil fertility, salinity, erosion, land degradation … etc). +Water related problems ( water shortage, quality, periodic hazards of floods and droughts). +people related problems (changing land tenure, land fragmentation, overgrazing, deforestation, conflicts)

5- Management systems +Government: The concept of natural resources management has evolved series of surveys and assessments. By 1946 Soil Conservation and Land use Department has established to study phenomena like desertification, land degradation, …

+NGO ’ S: ( foreign and national in addition to CBO ’ S are deeply involved in natural resources management as part of their development pursuits. +Communities: - Realizing the importance of N.R conservation. -Jointly with government and NGO ’ S implementing development programmes.

+In rural areas they own land and allocated according to individual needs. +Have their customary law and traditional conservation mechanisms

6-Conclusion The increase in population, environment changes, globalization of economies, high demand and competition for land resources, all these call for a whole new approach to land tenure and natural resource governance. For this reason we are trying to adopt land reform policies and laws through:

-Democratization of land administration systems. -Community participation in designing new land rights systems. -Comprehensive and integrated resources management that suit the complex realities of Sudan environments. -Examination of the shortfalls of customary land tenure.