The Diawling National Park organized the CSH meeting from June 6 to 7, 2022 in Nouakchott on the theme: “Restitution of the results of the 2021 – 2022 flood campaign and proposal and validation of the 2022 – 202 scenario” in consultation with the representatives of the offices of the PND Trades Unions (fishing, livestock, market gardening and crafts). The work of this workshop took place at the Atlantic Hotel in Nouakchott, according to the agenda presented during the session. At the end of the discussions and analyzes of the past 2021-2022 campaign, a scenario for the 2022-2023 flood campaign was adopted and recommendations were made in order to improve the management of the Park.
Role of artificial flooding in the PND & CSH
To provide context, the PND has had two supply structures for its basins since 1994, allowing it to imitate the natural flood since the OMVS put in place the embankments on the right bank of the Senegal River in 1986.
These hydraulic structures (Cheyal and Lemer) having respectively 4 and 3 valves, allow the Diawling National Park to pursue its objectives of restoration and preservation of its ecosystems, which ensures services which primarily benefit the population of the area. area.
The artificial flooding of the plains extends over more than 35000 ha and thus promotes the regeneration of species of economic and ecological value, the attraction of thousands of migratory birds, the reception of ichthyofauna and livestock, the recharge dune layers, etc.Finally, water management is the determining parameter for the success of the restoration and the productivity of the area. It is therefore essential to control the hydrological regime to promote sufficient availability of fresh water for all uses (water table recharge for AEP, livestock breeding, fishing) and in all hydrological units (Bell, Gambar, Diawling, N'Thiallakh, Gueyloubou, the islands, Hassi Baba).
To evaluate the results of the past flood campaign and define the scenario for the coming year, the PND set up a multidisciplinary Hydrological Monitoring Committee (CSH). The committee was created on April 20, 2015 by memo No. 0010/D/PND with the aim of establishing sustainable management of ecosystems based on water control, on the one hand, and of maintaining the conditions favorable to the restoration and conservation of habitats, species and biodiversity, on the other hand. This committee meets at least once a year to analyze the results which it shares with the main users of the area: fishermen, market gardeners, breeders, artisans.
The establishment of this body participates in the implementation of Program 1 of the 2018-2022 Development and Management Plan entitled: Hydrological management of the PND and in particular its Result R.1.2 “A monitoring system and monitoring tools hydrological analysis make it possible to monitor/evaluate and improve the PND flooding scenario and prevent environmental and climatic risks.
Objectives, missions and committee members
Goals
- Appropriate management of hydraulic supply works
- Better consideration of the needs of all water users
- Taking into account evolving phenomena, particularly those linked to climate change
Committee missions
- Analyze the hydrological data collected during the past campaign, and correlate them with ecological and socio-economic indicators to have an overall vision of the phenomena at work in the area;
- Validate, and revise if necessary, the flood scenario proposals for the coming year (opening date, duration of flooding, coasts, models, management of structures, etc.);
- Define hydrological, biological and socio-economic monitoring indicators
- Guide data collection procedures;
- Share the results of the past flood campaign and the analysis carried out with the Park Commission (special flood meeting) and if necessary with the scientific council;
- Prepare a final report describing in detail the processes and induced effects observed during the flooding campaign and the recommendations.
Committee members
Members are qualified on the basis of good experience in hydrology and development of Protected Areas, and above all a good knowledge of the PND, its history, its specificities, current developments, its governance (PAG) , etc.