Arab Republic of Egypt UNCCD Desert Research Center Ministry of Agriculture & Land Reclamation Egyptian National Action Program To Combat Desertification June, 2005 UNCCD Egypt Office: Mail Address: 1 Mathaf El Mataria – P.O.Box: 11753 El Mataria, Cairo, Egypt Tel: (+202) 6332352 Fax: (+202) 6332352 e-mail : [email protected] Prof. Dr. Abdel Moneim Hegazi +202 0123701410 Dr. Ahmed Abdel Ati Ahmed +202 0105146438 ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Desert Research Center (DRC) Egyptian National Action Program To Combat Desertification Editorial Board Dr. A.M.Hegazi Dr. M.Y.Afifi Dr. M.A.EL Shorbagy Dr. A.A. Elwan Dr. S. El- Demerdashe June, 2005 Contents Subject Page Introduction ………………………………………………………………….. 1 PART I 1- Physiographic Setting …………………………………………………….. 4 1.1. Location ……………………………………………………………. 4 1.2. Climate ……...………………………………………….................... 5 1.2.1. Climatic regions…………………………………….................... 5 1.2.2. Basic climatic elements …………………………….................... 5 1.2.3. Agro-ecological zones………………………………………….. 7 1.3. Water resources ……………………………………………………... 9 1.4. Soil resources ……...……………………………………………….. 11 1.5. Flora , natural vegetation and rangeland resources…………………. 14 1.6 Wildlife ……………………………………………………………... 28 1.7. Aquatic wealth ……………………………………………………... 30 1.8. Renewable energy ………………………………………………….. 30 1.8. Human resources ……………………………………………………. 32 2.2. Agriculture ……………………………………………………………… 34 2.1. Land use pattern …………………………………………………….. 34 2.2. Agriculture production ………...……………………………………. 34 2.3. Livestock, Poultry and Fishing production …………………………. 39 2.3.1. Livestock production …………………………………………… 39 2.3.2. Poultry production ……………………………………………… 40 2.3.3. Fish production………………………………………………….. 41 PART II 3. Causes, Processes and Impact of Desertification…………………………. 43 3.1. Causes of desertification ……………………………………………….. 43 Subject Page 3.2. Desertification processes ………………………………………………… 44 3.2.1. Urbanization ……………………………………………………….. 44 3.2.2. Salinization…………………………………………………………. 44 3.2.3. Pollution …………………………………………………………… 45 3.2.4. Soil fertility depletion……………………………………………… 45 3.2.5. Wind erosion ………………………………………………………. 46 3.2.6. Water erosion…………………………………………. …………... 46 3.2.7. Sand encroachment……………………………………..………….. 46 3.3. Impact of desertification …………………………………………………. 47 4. Activities to Combat Desertification……………………………………….. 50 4.1. North Coastal Areas …………………………………………..................... 50 4.1.1. Activities in the Northwest Coast…………….................................... 50 4.1.2. Activities in North Sinai Coastal Areas………………....................... 52 4.2. The Nile Valley and Delta ………………………………………………... 53 4.2.1. Legislation ……………………………………………....................... 53 4.2.2. Soil improvement activities...…………………………...................... 54 4.2.3. Conservation of land resources from pollution……………………… 54 4.2.4. Drainage improvement and conservation of water resources ………. 55 4.2.5. Afforestation in the desert fringes.……………………....................... 56 4.3. Inland Sinai and the Eastern Desert………………………………………... 56 4.4. The Western Desert, Oasis and Southern Remote Areas…………………... 57 4.5. Institutions …………………………………………………………………. 58 4.6. Legislations………………………………………………………………… 60 5- Lessons learned ………………………………………………....................... 61 6- Proposals for Desertification Assessment , Monitoring and Indicators… 64 Subject Page 6.1. Desertification assessment……………………………………………. 64 6.2. Monitoring …………………………………………………………… 64 6.3. Indicators of desertification………..……………….………………… 65 7. Constraints…………………………………………………………………… 70 PART III 8-Intervention programmes……………………………………........................ 72 8.1. General features …………………………………….………………….. 72 8.2. Programmes for combating desertification …………………………….. 73 8.2.1. Thematic programme ……………………………………………... 73 8.2.1.1. Desertification assessment and monitoring in Egypt……………………………………………………. 73 8.2.1.2. Capacity building ………………….………………………… 75 8.2.2. Programme for Irrigated Agriculture ……….….............................. 78 8.2.2.1.Irrigation improvement ……………………….. ……………... 79 8.2.2.2.The integrated irrigation management project (IIMP)…………. 81 8.2.2.3. Land improvement ………….................................................... 82 8.2.2.4. Water and land pollution control……………………………….. 83 8.2.2.5.Environmental pollution in Wadi El-Rayan Depression……………………………………………………… 85 8.2.2.6. Safe use of treated sewage water for Afforestation…………... 86 8.2.3. Programme for rehabilitation, conservation and sustainable use of range resources ….…………………................................................ 87 8.2.3.1. Artificial revegetaion of depleted ranges…..…........................... 88 82.3.2. Conservation of soil and water resources ……………………... 91 8.2.3.3. Grazing management ………………………………………….. 93 8.2.4.Programme for rainfed agriculture ……………………………... 94 8.2.4.1. Land use planning ………… …………………………… 95 Subject Page 8.2.4.2. Experimental cloud seeding under Egyptian conditions………………………………………………… 97 8.2.4.3. Improving livestock performanc………………..................... 99 8.2.4.4. Improving small ruminants production in North Sinai………………………………….…………………... 100 8.2.4..5. Soil erosion control.………………………………………. 102 8.2.5. Programme for sand dunes stabilization ………….............................. 103 8.2.5.1. Control of sand encroachment on High Dam Lake ……………... 104 8.2.5.2. Stabilization of dune sands in Siwa Oasis ……….….................... 105 8.2.5.3. Stabilization of Shifting sand dunes in North Sinai………………………………………….……………….. 106 9. Recommendations…………………………………………………….. 109 ANNEX NAP Endorsment…………………………………………………..................... 112 Contributors……………………………………………………………………. 113 List of Tables Subject Page Table (1): Land use pattern in different agro-ecological zones..……..................... 34 Table (2): Development of the cropping areas during the last 5 years (1998- 36 2002)………………………………………………………………… Table (3): Development of areas of the dominant summer crops during 5 years 37 (1998-2002)…………………………..…………………………….. Table (4): Development of areas cultivated with Nili crops during the period 37 1992-2002…………………………………………………………… Table (5): Development of areas cultivated with winter crops during the period 38 1998-2002…………………………………………………………… Table (6): Total number and rate of change of animal resources…………………. 39 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The DRC has the great honour and privilege to express deep thanks, gratitude and appreciation to H.E. Ahmed El Leithy, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation for his sincere advice, support and continuous auspices to conduct the National Action Programme for Combating Desertification. Sincere thanks and deep appreciation are extended to Prof. Dr. Mohammed A. El- Kassas , Fac. Science, Cairo, University for his fruitful consultation, eminent suggestions and guidance throughout the preparation of the draft of the National Action Programme. Thanks, are also expressed to the National Coordinating Committee and to the Scientific Committee for Combating Desertification, for planning, constructive suggestions, criticisms, continuous follow up and faithful advices during the preparation of the National Action Programme. The great efforts provided by the editorial committee in preparing and finalizing the draft programme in its present form could not be neglected and deeply appreciated. Special thanks are also extended to their excellencies, the Governors of New Valley, Matruh, North Sinai, Red Sea, and Behaira Governorates and to all stakeholders from these Governorates for valuable participation and discussions in the local workshops that enriched the preparation of the National Action Programme. DRC also acknowledges all those who contributed directly or indirectly in the preparation of this manuscript. INTRODUCTION Egypt has a total area of about one million km2, under arid and hyperarid climatic conditions, of which only a small portion (3% of total area) is agriculturally productive. The country is endowed with four main agro-ecological zones having specific attributes of resource base, climatic features, terrain and geomorphic characteristics, land use patterns and socio-economic implications. Therefore, it is found appropriate to formulate a programmes comprised of subcomponents geared to address the specific attributes in each of the agro- ecological zones distinguished as follow: 1. The Nile Valley: encompassing the fertile alluvial land of Middle and Upper Egypt, the Nile Delta region and the reclaimed desert areas in the fringes of the Nile Valley. 2. North Coastal zone: including the coastal area stretching east ward from North-Western coast to North coastal area of Sinai. 3. The Inland Sinai and the Eastern Desert with their elevated southern areas. 4. The Western Desert: encompassing oases and southern remote areas, including East Uweinat, Tushka and Darb El-Arbian areas. Since significant variations in the environmental characteristics are apparent in each agro- ecological zone, the active factors and processes of desertification and their impacts are necessarily variable. Accordingly, it is not appropriate to formulate a unified programme to combat desertification in such zone. To address and focus on the varied natural attributes, priorities of actions and specific processes of desertification, sub-components of the action programme are figured out to facilitate investigation and identification of appropriate techniques, suitable -indicators, monitoring, capacity building, awareness needs, participating