The water level of Lake Chad shrinking by around 90% starting from the 1960s. It used to be among the biggest lakes in Africa, currently serving around 30 million people in Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon.
Who Makes Use of Lake Chad?
More than 80% to 90% of the people living in the region depend on agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishing, so the changes in the water level impact their livelihoods directly. Also, the population of the region has grown more than three times since the 1960s, thus increasing demand for water and land.
What Has Been Changed?
Lake Chad shrinking affects fishery communities like Buduma so much that they are forced to move to new places. In 2025, the number of people in dangerous food deprivation in the region will be around 4.9 million, and the increase in the temperature is 1.5 times higher than the global one.
Is Climate the Main Factor Only?
No. Experts say that as important factors we should mention overuse of the lake, increase in the population of the region, and conflicts, thus indicating that it is not wise to consider the issue in simple terms.
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