Western Values Challenged Part 1 - Are We More Troublesome Than Climate Change?

When you see the term 'floods', what is the first thing that comes into your mind? Did you instantly think back to some historic devastating floods like in Somerset in England last year? Or perhaps you might have drawn a picture of coastal flooding following a storm event or tsunami. They are all relevant and well-known common examples of floods, which is frequently linked to the onslaught of natural disaster causing loss of life as well as having substantial socio-economic and environmental impacts on the devastated area. Yes, you can get very easily provoked and feel so dreadful by the term.


Figure.1 A photo of Somerset flooding in 2014 (Reference: International Business Times, 2014).

In some parts of the world, however, you will find some people rather enriching their lives through such 'floods' events. Some of you may think of those working for insurance companies or big construction firms...and yes, I think that's absolutely right! But let me stick to the theme of my blog for now. Here, I'm referring to people living in land known as 'floodplain' where it is adjacent to a major river channel and subject to regular flooding. One of the famous floodplains in Africa is in the downstream of the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands in northeastern Nigeria (Adams, 1993).


Figure.2. A photo showing the floodplain in the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands (Reference: Wetlands International, 2015)

The wetlands are fed by the two main upstream rivers known as Hadejia and Jama'are River, which converge to flow into the downstream river called Yobe. (Barbier and Thompson, 1998). It floods extensively between August and September when intensive rainfall occurs as I explained in my previous post.

What is remarkable about floodplains like the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands is that it provides the land with a range of values in local economy, culture and ecosystems. Inhabitants are adapted to practice agriculture using floodwater and the residual soil moisture after it recedes. The fishery is also common towards the end of raining season when fishes are increasingly trapped in ponds that become isolated from a main river channel. Some of their fishing activity is culturally important and frequently linked to local festivals and celebrations in good catch. (Thomas, 1994).

Furthermore, nomadic tribes also bring their livestock in dry season and leave manure rich in nutrients in soil and benefits farmers. Many floodplains also play a vital role in functioning local ecosystems particularly for migratory birds where they feed on insects and fishes abundant in the wetland, and they are mostly registered as the Ramsar Site (Idris, 2008). This complex system of floodplains has long been sustainably managed by local inhabitants.

Figure.3. A map showing the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands (Reference: Sulaiman et al., 2014)

In terms of the scale, the flood extents had historically ranged between 250 - 300,000 ha in 60-70s until 90s when a rapid decline in the extent was recorded as 70-100,000 ha, following two upstream dam closures, the Tiga and Challawa Dam in Hadejia River (Figure.3). The purpose of the dams is mainly for intensive irrigation schemes to support the growing population in cities around the wetlands. Needless to say, such development measures significantly undermine the tremendous values downstream already described above. In essence, those involved in such projects e.g. development agencies view the floodplain as a result of 'wasting water', dismissing the existing socio-economic, cultural and ecological benefits that brings to downstream area. This, I think is a contemporary example of what King Jr. (1967) claims in his speech that 'the western arrogance of feeling that it has everything to teach others and nothing to learn from them is not just' (Rethinking Schools. 2001). Who manages the floodplains has merely reflected 'who knows things the best'.

Now, floodplains are becoming dryer, farmers are suffering from falling water levels, which then restrict fish migration for spawning across the floodplains and die off. Less water availability can also have a direct detrimental effect on the health of the people relying on the floodplains for domestic water source. Here, downstream communities suffer from human-derived development projects rather than climate change itself.

Based upon this tragedy of shared water resource, I would like to give a closer insight into how the floodplains in Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands are recently managed and what would be the potential solutions for the conflict. For those taking GEOG3038, this will include my reflection upon tomorrow's role-playing seminar. Any thoughts or questions are very welcome, as always! :)