Ecology and Management of the SUDD Wetland
Background
South Sudan is endowed with vast natural resources including abundant arable land, forests, rangelands, wildlife and water. While these resources are a blessing, their sustainable utilization possess a challenge because the longstanding conflict between Sudan and South Sudan fragmented the knowledge base and eroded capacity for sustainable development. Today, there is an urgent need for skilled work force that will develop a systematic knowledge base and identify livelihood opportunities and constraints as well as developmental priorities for the country.
Strengthening University of Juba
Total budget:
- 2013-2018: 17.8 million NOK
University of Juba, born out of the need to train skilled work force to exploit the natural wealth of South Sudan after the first war in 1975, is now better placed to meet these challenges than ever before. The University has a sizeable number of qualified and dedicated scientists capable of conducting research in various aspects of natural resources and environment. Despite losing about 75% of its staff to Sudan, there has been a considerable build-up of junior scientists following a rigorous recruitment drive over the last 6 years. Given the opportunity for post-graduate studies, these young scientist could in 5 years fill the gap created by lose of academics to Sudan. Besides, the University has functional academic structures in place that cover all aspects of natural resources, rural development, health, education and social sciences among others.
The Sudd Wetland
This project bring together scientist from NMBU, Makerere and Juba to generate knowledge on the Sudd Wetland and build academic and research capacity at the University of Juba. Nowhere in South Sudan are all aspects of natural resources management, climate change and environmental aspects better manifested than in the Sudd Wetland. Being one of the largest wetlands in Africa, the Sudd wetland supports a diversity of fragile ecosystems with a rich flora and fauna. The Sudd has huge natural resources that support agriculture, livestock, fisheries and wildlife.
However, given that considerable changes have occurred in the landscape including oil exploration, and other geological products, there is need to generate knowledge that can be used for development of poverty reduction strategies as well as conservation of the wetlands’ biodiversity. The information available is based on what had been collected in form of seminars, visits, surveys, and impact assessments that were carried out in during the proposal for Jonglei canal and is inadequate to provide base for management of the Sudd.
Overall goal:
Contribute to improved natural resources management and utilization and strengthening University of Juba’s capacity for teaching and research
The objectives of the project are:
1. Better understanding of the Sudd Wetlands
2. Improved capacity for teaching and research
Partner institutions:
- University of Juba, South Sudan
- Makerere University, Uganda
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway
Contact persons for the project:
- Dr Bojoi Moses Tomor, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies,
University of Juba, e-mail: mbojoi@hotmail.com - Dr Busulwa Henry, Department of Science, Technical and Vocational Education, Makerere University, e-mail: hsbusulwa@educ.mak.ac.ug or hbusulwa@yahoo.co.uk
- Dr Trygve Berg, NMBU, e-mail: trygve.berg@nmbu.no
News and relevant links:
- Norway MFA Grants Portal:
http://udtilskudd.regjeringen.no/#/nb/agreement?agreementNo=SSD-13/0021