The Jonglei Canal—Needed Development or Potential Ecodisaster?

Abstract

The Nile is the major source of water for irrigation in northern Sudan and Egypt. The need for water is most acute during the dry season, which coincides with the period of low-flow of the Nile. Consequently, intensive studies have been made, since 1904, on the hydrology of the Nile and its control, while dams have been built on the Blue Nile, the White Nile, and the River Nile (i.e. after the confluence of the Blue Nile and White Nile at Khartoum). The concept of storage in the equatorial lakes was also entertained, before the decision was taken on the current excavation of the Jonglei Canal to by-pass the ‘Sudd’ swamps.A vast literature is available on the hydrology and hydrobiology of the Nile. Nevertheless the present manuscript is seemingly the first attempt to present unpublished notes with a compilation of the published literature. I have also attempted to outline the existing Jonglei Canal Project, which is often confused with earlier-suggested projects.I advocate that the need for water and the present state of knowledge justify undertaking ‘Phase One’ of the Project, but not ‘Phase Two’. A future paper (now in preparation) will deal in detail with claims that the excavation of the Canal will have drastic ecological repercussions, and will affect the way of life of the local Nilotic tribes.

Fish communities in the eastern, seasonal-floodplain of the Sudd, Southern Sudan

“…1). It is widely regarded as offering a high fisheries potential (Jonglei Investigation Team, 1954;Moghraby, 1982) but detailed information on fish biology is scarce (Rzoska, 1974;Moghraby & Sammani, 1985). Accordingly a recent impact assessment of the modern Jonglei Canal project included provision for fish studies (Bailey & Cobb, 1984), one of which is reported in this paper.…”

On the Environmental and Socio-economic Impact of the Jonglei Canal Project, Southern Sudan

“…The volume of discharge of Bahr el Jebetf would remain the same after the completion of the canal (i.e. 65 x 10 6 m 3 per day; Moghraby, 1982). Consequently the seasonal cycles of abundance of fauna and flora may be expected to remain as they are now.…”

“…In addition to available information, a hydrological model has recently been completed (Sutcliffe & Parks, 1982). The Executive Organ of the National Council for the Development Projects in the Jonglei Canal Area has also commissioned several national and international agencies to carry out research on the possible effects of the canal, and to design and/or implement development projects in the area (Moghraby, 1982). It should be emphasized, however, that ecology is neither infallible nor is it a highly precise discipline.…”

“…The physical background of the river-swamp system, as well as details of the history, development, and progress, of the Jonglei Canal Project, have been outlined in detail by Moghraby (1982); only a brief background will be given here.…”

Post-Jonglei planning in southern Sudan: combining environment with development

“…3. Moghraby, Asim (1982), "The Jonglei canal -needed development or potential eco-disaster? ", Environmental Conservation Vol 9, No 2, Summer, pages 141-148.…”