Conservation

"Somalia has suffered from many years of civil unrest so it is not perhaps surprising that according to a late May 2002 news item, a new report prepared by an environmental group known as Natural Resource Management and Environmental Protection, warns that Somalia will be a country without trees within the next few years if trees continue to be cut down at the present rate. It is understood that deforestation has been most severe in Middle Jubba, Lower Jubba, Middle Shabeelle and Lower Shabeelle - according to the news item, substantial shipments of charcoal are passing through Kismaayo and Mogadishu on a daily basis. The Important Bird Areas which may be seriously affected are: 8, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 - see IBA section. It is further understood the report claims that Somalia's wildlife is now almost non-existent following widespread poaching." In addition, the dumping of toxic wastes off the central eastern coast presents a serious environmental hazard.

WIWO has conducted 18 surveys in Africa. The WIWO Forward Plan includes censuses of waders along the coast of Somalia. Contact address: Working Group on International Wader and Waterfowl Research (WIWO), c/o Driebergse weg 16c, 3708 JB Zeist, Netherlands.