Chinguetti: A Historic City at Risk from Desert Encroachment

Chinguetti, a historic city in Mauritania, faces severe threats from advancing desertification due to climate change. The encroaching sands are overwhelming local neighborhoods and historical manuscripts, prompting tree-planting projects which have thus far proved insufficient. With the community grappling with dwindling resources and increased sand deposits, leaders remain determined to find solutions despite the growing challenges.

For centuries, Chinguetti, a renowned trans-Saharan trading post, has attracted scholars and poets who cherish its libraries, which house thousands of manuscripts. However, this historical city is now under threat as desert sands increasingly blanket its ancient core and encroach upon nearby neighborhoods. Local residents have resigned to the conclusion that this desert encroachment represents their inevitable future.

The current climate crisis is exacerbating the situation in Chinguetti, with intensified sandstorms depositing large quantities of sand onto the streets and into homes, leading to some areas being entirely submerged. Although tree-planting initiatives are currently underway to combat the advancing sands, they have not alleviated the community’s pervasive concerns regarding their future.

Chinguetti holds significance as one of Mauritania’s four UNESCO World Heritage sites, located in a nation where merely 0.5% of the land is arable. Even though Africa contributes the least to global fossil fuel emissions, only Somalia and Eswatini are recorded to have experienced less severe impacts from climate change according to World Bank data. Many Mauritanians regard Chinguetti as one of the holiest cities in Islam, with its libraries preserving some of West Africa’s oldest manuscripts covering diverse topics.

Community leader Melainine Med El Wely is distressed over the reality faced by residents and the historical treasures that Chinguetti harbors. He remarked on the troubling sight of the city’s decay, recalling, “It’s a city surrounded by an ocean of sand that’s advancing every minute.” El Wely noted the drastic transformation of his surroundings, where familiar areas are now hidden beneath relentless sand cover.

Research indicates that the migration of sand plays a crucial role in desertification, with deserts such as the Sahara expanding rapidly and “sand seas” becoming reactivated, transforming previously vegetated landscapes. Earth scientist Andreas Baas expressed concern that what was previously considered a worst-case scenario has become increasingly likely, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

According to a 2024 United Nations report, over 75% of the Earth has become drier in recent decades, which endangers the survival of various species, including plants, humans, and animals. The U.N. attributes this widespread aridity to human-induced climate change, emphasizing that the resulting water scarcity leads to health crises and forced migrations globally.

In Chinguetti, changing climate conditions are manifesting with dire consequences. Community members report dying trees, depleting wells, and disappearing livelihoods. Date farmer Salima Ould Salem has struggled to sustain his palm trees amidst these challenges, illustrating the emotional toll as neighbors relocate and homes become buried in sand. Salem poignantly shared, “We prefer to stay here. If I leave, my place will disappear.”

Historically, acacia, gum, and palm trees acted as barriers against the encroaching dunes, yet their gradual disappearance exacerbates the issue. Former teacher Mohamed Lemine Bahane emphasized that as vegetation diminishes, the dunes become more active, leading to further land degradation. Bahane measures the significant increases in sand deposits in the area, marking the alarming correlation with dwindling rainfall.

The proposed solutions include establishing green belts of trees to protect the city, which are part of broader initiatives like Africa’s “Great Green Wall.” While national ministries and NGOs have initiated planting projects, their impact on curbing desert encroachment remains to be seen, as trees take years to establish their roots and access groundwater.

El Wely, despite the overwhelming odds, retains hope against desertification, remarking on the continued determination of community members to fight back against their fate. “We’re convinced that desertification is our destiny. But thankfully, there are still people convinced that it can be resisted,” he stated.

In conclusion, Chinguetti, a city of significant cultural and historical importance, faces an existential crisis due to advancing desertification exacerbated by climate change. The loss of vegetation and increase in sandstorms threaten both the community’s livelihood and its invaluable manuscripts. Despite ongoing efforts to combat these changes through tree-planting initiatives, substantial challenges remain. The resolve of community leaders and residents underscores the importance of collective action and persistence in confronting the impending environmental catastrophe and preserving their heritage.

Original Source: www.usnews.com