Climate change threatens end of trail for Niger's nomadic herders

AdvertisementThere was no tree anywhere, no shelter at all for his family, 27 sheep and six camels.

Women and children perched on donkeys already overburdened with bags of jute, plastic containers, mattresses and gourdes. Scrawny cows, sheep and goats trailed alongside in the baking heat, looking exhausted.Nomadic herders are among the world's most exposed communities when it comes to the impact of climate change.

But after a few weeks, the precious rain suddenly stopped. None fell for the next 30 days. The green plains turned yellow and the price of cereal fodder on local markets rocketed. He is part of a Fulani clan called the Wodaabe, famous for travelling extremely long distances with their herds, from Niger to the Central African Republic via Cameroon and Chad.They are also nicknamed the Mbororo, like the hardy strain of reddish, large-horned steers they drive.But he said he wondered whether his children will be able to carry on the ancient herding traditions.Today, he only has 32 cows - a catastrophic loss of capital for him and his 25-member family.

Sabgari said the worst droughts, in 1974 and 1984, were turning points for Sahel herders. They lost half of their cattle. Niger is the sixth poorest country in the world but has the planet's highest fertility rate at more than seven children per woman on average.Dwindling harvests, relentless population pressure, climate uncertainty, pollution of underground aquifers, rivalry between herders and farmers over access to land: all this is a deadly mixture.Harvests and livestock production are in surplus and the price of millet, sorghum and corn has fallen.

On the floor of his hut, three thin chickens rested in the shadow of a satellite dish where clothes were stretched out to dry.

I love this pic, The Grass is green, tree is too n a Dead Animal. Stop Climate BS Pictures n Dig a Hole. I bet there is plenty of water Underneath the surface.

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