No time to waste to save the environment of South Sudan

29/07/2010 | Area of work: Sustainable peace building

Mark van Dorp is lead author of a publication on sustainable environmental management in South Sudan, which will become independent in July 2011. The book "No Time to Waste" is published by AWEPA, the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa. It gives an overview of some of the most pressing environmental problems in southern Sudan. In addition, a number of potential pathways for more sustainable environmental management are presented.

Photo: DUVILLA/Bushfire near Kajo Keji, South Sudan

South Sudan is endowed with a variety of natural resources and fertile land, which is currently underexploited. There is substantial interest from all over the world to exploit these riches and convert part of the underutilised land for agro-business and mining. Appropriate measures need to be taken to protect the environment and to ensure that the huge economic potential of southern Sudan is exploited in a sustainable way. Given the dependence of the people of southern Sudan on the rich natural resource base, there is a strong need for all stakeholders to make sustainable environmental management a top priority.