The Wetland Reclamation in Gumbo, Juba, is an Environmental Disaster
By Malith Alier, Kampala, Uganda
August 28, 2016 (SSB) — What would writing achieve in this country called South Sudan? Some people in the past advised this writer that he and many others should pause because nobody listens! These sorts of people imagine that continuous writing changes nothing on the ground.
Writing is not about changing things instantly but it’s also about learning, entertainment and you name them. I bet that most of my fellow writers will continue to write no matter what. Whether something changes or not, writers will continue. Further, writing is as old as human civilisation itself. Therefore, it’s meaningless to advise authors to cease what they love most.
There are dangers associated with speaking one’s mind in the society as we witnessed over the past five years after the independence. Journalists, particularly those who expressed political opinions have been killed, imprisoned and tortured simply because of their views. This in itself will not stop or discourage writers. We see soldiers join the army and carry guns despite dangers associated with being in the army. This is the same with writers.
The Gumbo issue is not an isolated case. There are many other wetlands in the country which are under threat by nobody other than the very people who can benefit from conserving such wetlands. We see wetlands being reclaimed for various endeavours such as agriculture, housing or industrialisation in an unfair way. This happens while there is adequate land for such purposes elsewhere. The city people have developed a habit of scrambling over nearby lands and leaving no space for other purposes.
Reasons why wetlands should be preserved include; biodiversity, drainage, water conservation and to avoid future disaster.
In wetlands you’ll find variety of plant and animal lives. Nobody wants to lose these animal and plant species. They constitute and maintain balance in that environment.
Wetlands assist in water drainage. Blocking these areas or reclaiming them is a disaster waiting to happen. This is the case during the time of floods. It happened in Accra, Ghana a couple of years ago when those who blocked a waterway were swept away by flooding. This is what is likely going to happen in Gumbo if these activities are not stopped forthwith.
Wetlands constitute water conservation. If they’re reclaimed for settlement, then we lose important underground water sources. It’s also known as water catchment area.
The ministries of environment at national and state levels are urged to look into the Gumbo wetland issue. The factories that are springing up there should be relocated to other suitable areas of Juba. There are vast lands on the eastern or the western parts of the city which could be used to build factories like those being erected Gumbo.
What is happening in Gumbo wetlands is the real land grab folk have been grumbling about. Land grab was literally taken as someone taking land of someone by force or other means.
After exhausting the parks, open areas and reserves in the inner city, they now move on to reclaim wetlands, riverbanks, hilltops and conservation lands. It is happening while the authorities turn the blind eye on them. This is a pity. Nobody should cry foul later on when it is all done like what happened to the Nile Riverbank which is taken by hotels and lodges effectively excluding the public.
If the environment ministries aren’t doing their job, the environment activists and the public at large should do something so that wetlands and other reserves are saved from land marauders.
Ignorance will finish us off. It is time to take on issues that affect the country and everyone head on. We do not have to live for now, we live forever through future generations. This calls for sustainable use of resources including land. Environmental protection is everyone’s’ responsibility.
You can reach the author via his email: Aljok Deng <alierjokdeng@gmail.com>
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