Conflicts and Natural Environment of the Sudan with some Emphasis on Darfur Region

This paper is an attempt to find the close relation between misuse of natural resources or resource degradation and conflicts in Sudan and vice versa. Critical review of relevant review was done to satisfy the above mentioned objective. Causes of conflicts in Darfur can be summed up as follows: Expansion of Cultivation at the expense of rangelands due to increase in population and the prevailing climatic conditions, Drought and desertification and its impact on Range and Pasture all resulted in the decrease of the carrying capacity of the remaining rangelands, Animal Routes are seriously affected by the dissolution of the native administration during Nemiri Regime, Scarce Water resources and A lack of development and livelihood options. Outside of the Main Urban Areas Environmental degradation and resource scarcity are an underlying cause of conflict in dry land Sudan-including Darfur and have resulted in the following impacts: competition for scarce resources has always been a catalyst for conflict between different rural groups, increased human and livestock population pressures, displacement by mechanized agricultural schemes, reduced and unreliable rainfall, desertification, soil depletion and soil erosion are ongoing and the general trend for displacement to the south and to the cities and increased frequency of local level clashes. The Environmental Impacts of Conflicts could be Summarized as Follows Direct impacts: include landmines and explosive remnants. While, Indirect and secondary environmental impacts of conflict as a result of population displacement are The severe and complex environmental consequences of displacement include: deforestation in camp areas; de-vegetation in camps areas; unsustainable groundwater extraction in camps; water pollution in camp areas; uncontrolled urban slum growth; the development of a ‘relief economy' which can locally exacerbate demand for natural resources; fallow area regeneration and invasive weed expansion; and return- andrecovery-related deforestation. Not all displacement in Sudan is due to conflict. Drought and economic factors are also major contributing causes. The following recommendations can be drawn recommended the following measures: strengthening the local institutions, preparation of land use guiding maps for the whole country, regular maintenance of traditional animals' migratory routes, capacity buildings and involving local population in development, change the local culture which looks to the number of animals as source of prestige and political power.