Lake Chad: avenues for survival

"The development of Lake Chad: current and possible future situation."

Is the theme of the conference hosted last Thursday at the University of Yaoundé I and by Jacques Lemoalle Saïbou Issa, President and member of the college of experts collective expertise on Lake Chad.

The research carried out by the Institute of Research for Development (IRD) at the request of the Commission of the Lake Chad Basin (LCBC) said the lake was an avenue for survival.

The results which were presented before an audience composed of the Ambassador of France in Cameroon, Christine Robichon, teachers and university students, among others.

Speaking during the presentation, Jacques Lemoalle said “We already know that the disappearance of Lake Chad would have serious consequences on millions of people. In fact, two million people are set to be living around the lake, 13 others benefit directly and LCBC has 45 million people.

People who perform various activities such as agriculture and livestock that make the waters of the lake vulnerable to pollution (pesticides and petroleum products are spilled).”

He goes on to say the lake is always favourable to human activities and is not completely safe, because "underground reserves are poorly understood and the deep little aquifer exploited by the people."

French researcher also proposes a so-called 3M to ensure the survival of Lake Chad method: population mobility, multi-activities in the area farms and multifunctionality in the spaces.

According to Jacques Lemoalle it would be beneficial to promote transhumance and multiply income generating activities other than agriculture and livestock, for residents of the lake.

However, he said that the inter-basin transfer of water raised by the LCBC is unrealistic as it requires huge resources and not very mature technologies.

However, he wished to remain cautious because all solutions have not been studied.