 Old Hadejia River
The Old Hadejia river is historically the major river channel meandering through these wetlands. As a result of severe blockage, mostly by silt, the water that formerly flowed along it has diverted to the adjacent channels (the Burum Gana and Marma channels) causing flooding in the vast lands extending up to Nguru Lakes and beyond. The Old Hadejia river itself is now almost dry. The excessive flooding in the Marma Channel and Nguru Lakes is causing the destruction of farmlands, villages and major roads. These have lead to further degradation of lands, huge losses of agricultural activities and markets, and even the out-migration of affected communities.
Communities along the entire 100 km length of the Old Hadejia, as well as those upstream of its bifurcation and downstream of its confluence with the Burum Gana, have for years been trying to reverse the situation. In recent years the concerted self-help efforts of these communities have started to yield results. However, their efforts need to be reinforced if lasting results are to be achieved.
JWL is presently supporting the work of the KYB-Wetlands Development Initiative (formerly the Wetlands General Council), to co-ordinate a scaling-up of these efforts, to open up the river channel through major desilting and weed clearance works.
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