Vasundhara's Beloved Davalan: Africa, a continent known for its forests, thirsts for water

The whole world knows about the African continent and the water crisis, recently the 'State of Africa's Environment 2024 Report' has been published. Across Africa, incidents of violence over water resources are expected to increase by nearly 34 percent during 2022-23. According to a report published by the New Delhi-based Center for Science and Environment (CSE) and Media for Science, Environment, Health and Agriculture (Mesha), global warming has been faster in Africa than in the rest of the world. Average annual maximum temperatures in northern and southern Africa are likely to be four degrees above normal. The Middle East and Northern African regions face the highest expected economic losses from climate-related water scarcity. Then some important points of this report are as follows. Á Africa's population was 80 percent rural in the 1960s, now 50 percent is urban, Africa's water demand is projected to increase by 283 percent from 2005-2030. Water supply is limited, and with increasing demand, the problem has become dire. Á At least 24 major cities in 15 countries on the African continent will face dire water shortages by 2050. Á One of Africa's fastest-growing cities, Dar-e-Salaam's water demand has outstripped supply, causing frequent shortages. Here, rapid urbanization and population growth have strained existing water resources, pushing the city's water management systems to the brink. Á Africa is home to 22 percent of the world's severely water insecure population. Sub-Saharan Africa is the world's most water-stressed region. All of Africa is water-insecure, says this environment report. Á Tanzania receives most of its rainfall in two to three months of the year, the rest of the time it depends on groundwater. Management of which is very difficult. Rainfall patterns have also changed a lot. Á Africa is a rainwater dependent country. 95 percent of Africa's food production uses only rainwater. Á A hectare of land with 100 millimeters (mm) of rainfall in a year can store up to one million liters of water. According to UNEP, the amount of rainfall that falls on the continent as a whole is equivalent to the needs of nine billion people. Á In Tanzania and more than 80 percent of disease incidence in rural areas is caused by water, because waste also ends up in water, diseases such as diarrhea, vomiting have become common. There are 677 lakes in Africa, of which 88 are listed. As major lakes, three of the world's 10 largest freshwater lakes on Earth, in terms of area and density, are located in Africa. Á Lakes in Africa have great economic values. Malawi's Lake Malombe provides an economic bond of $124.36 million. Which is about two percent of the national GDP here. Á The climate-water link affects food. By 2050, food production will decrease by 6-14 percent. Á The 63 international transboundary river basins in Africa cover about 62 percent. Á The issue of key water-resources in Africa is linked internationally, with weak laws also affecting people. 70 million Africans will be displaced by 2030 due to global warming. Á By 2050, nearly 200 million people will be identified as 'environmental migrants', whose migration is driven by the environment. Climate Red Alert for Oranges in Nagpur The capital city of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, Nagpur is known as the 'Orange City' for its famous production of high quality oranges. However, it is now on red alert for human-induced climate change. Juicy oranges from Nagpur are appreciated for their sweetness, bright color. However, in recent years, various factors, including climate change to financial and logistical difficulties, have adversely affected the sustainability of orange cultivation in the region. The temperature in this area is rising to dangerous levels especially during the summer months. Due to which the orange trees have had severe adverse effects. which inhibits their growth rate, adversely affecting fruiting abilities. Oranges fall prematurely from heatwaves. In some cases, prolonged periods of extreme heat can lead to complete crop failure, a devastating outcome for farmers whose income depends on a successful harvest. Climate change is not just heat or rain. Heatwaves, cloudy skies, unpredictable rainfall and irregular seasons are affecting the fruiting cycle. Climatic events such as sudden heavy rains can cause soil erosion, waterlogging and loss of nutrients in the fruit. These events weaken the orange tree, which thrives in warm, tropical climates. Adverse effects of climate change have also increased pest infestations and diseases due to erratic temperature and weather conditions. Citrus crops are sensitive to both excessive rainfall and drought, making them more susceptible to diseases such as 'root rot' and 'mildew', which have the potential to destroy entire orchards. New pests such as Citrus psylla are a major threat to the orange crop. This mite spreads a bacterial disease called 'citrus greening', which causes oranges to become bitter. Farmers have increased need for expensive chemical treatments, which has also increased their financial burden. The thorny crown of Agra's 'West' known as the Taj Mahal has long been synonymous with the city of Agra, the Taj Mahal. But now the footwear vest is proving to be a crown of thorns. Agra's identity as the footwear production hub of the country dates back centuries, with its 6,821 manufacturing units producing between nine-ten million pairs of shoes. Faces increasing environmental threats from the booming footwear industry. Agra caters to nearly 65 percent of footwear demand in the country. According to CSE research, of the 45 tonnes of footwear waste generated daily, more than 13 tonnes comes from informal home-based businesses. While the Agra Municipal Corporation collects around 57 per cent of the footwear waste it generates, the rest – around six tonnes per day – is still dumped in drains, open spaces or burnt, creating an environmental hazard. Waste from these informal units includes hazardous materials such as leather, synthetic polymers, textiles and foam soaked in adhesives. For Agra to balance its economic aspirations with protecting its environment and public health, proper waste management is the only way to ensure a clean and sustainable future for the city.}