Prefeasibility study of some drought alleviation measures in the Niger River Basin

Abstract

The Niger River Basin is situated in a geographic area with a climate which imposes a long dry season each year and is particularly harsh on the vegetation cover due to greatly reduced moisture availability. Furthermore, the study area is struck by recurrent droughts having devastating effects. In addition to causing human suffering and animal death, the droughts have drastic impact on the hydrology of the river and the fragile environment, playing havoc with the underdeveloped economy of the basin countries. To alleviate these adverse effects, the present study attempts to examine, from a water resource manager's point of view, the experiences as well as the potential feasibility of some proposed drought-control measures. Control measures of emergency relief, water conservation and water supply are studied, including their legal, institutional, socio-economic and financial aspects in the Niger Basin. These measures integrated in a contingency plan should also be part of a long-term development strategy to enable the basin countries to better withstand the effects of future droughts by providing self-sufficiency in food production, rehabilitation of the environment, and economic development.