Nile River Basin: Ecohydrological Challenges, Climate Change and Hydropolitics

Abstract

The Nile River basin is home to more than 238 million people covering 11 countries. The basin is characterized by unique ecological systems with varied landscapes including high mountains, tropical forests, woodlands, lakes, savannas, wetlands, arid lands, and deserts. The basin is also characterized by poverty, rapid population growth, environmental degradation, and frequent natural disasters. While the population in the basin is projected to increase significantly over the coming decades, the water resources are projected to decline, with an increase in environmental degradation. This will be a tremendous challenge in a basin where emerging water demands by upstream countries are forcing a new formula for the use of the scarce water resources. Unless a framework of agreement for equitable water sharing is reached soon between all riparian states, the potential for acute water conflict is high. Cooperation is essential for controlling watershed degradation and water quality decline.