Protecting Wetlands Along the Nile  

By Yasmine Hafez and Micheal Kibuule 

The Nile River Basin stretches approximately 2,870,000 km² across 11 countries, from the expansive wetlands near Lake Victoria in Uganda to the extensive Sudd in South Sudan and the fertile Nile Delta in Egypt. This Basin harbors a rich biodiversity, including a variety of plants, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. It is notably home to migratory and endemic species such as the Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), Little Tern (Sterna albifrons), Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), and the  Egyptian Plover (Pluvianus aegyptius). Further, these wetlands play a crucial role in supporting the livelihoods of millions through vital ecosystem services.  

However, climate change is exerting additional pressures on the growing populations around these wetlands, leading to uncertain rainfall patterns, flash floods, and potential droughts. Between 2022 and 2023, BirdLife International Partners, NatureUganda (NU) and  Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE) collaborated on a project that aimed to connect communities along the Nile River, promote  cross-cultural exchange and share valuable insights into community-based conservation. The initiative,  partially funded by the Nile Basin Capacity Building Network (NBCBN) Foundation, was carried out at the Nile’s source in Jinja, Uganda, and its mouth at Lake Burullus, Egypt, both renowned for their high bird diversity. The Jinja wetlands are particularly known for their tropical bird species, while the Burullus wetlands attract a mix of migratory species from Europe and Africa.   

Degraded Wetlands 

Both wetlands face similar environmental issues due to industrial water pollution, which impacts water quality and harms fish populations while promoting invasive species like water hyacinth. Furthermore, significant changes to the landscape and infrastructure, particularly the development of the Bujagali hydropower dam in Jinja and the building of the Cairo-Alexandria Agriculture road and aquaculture ponds in Burullus, have led to the reduction of wetland areas and diminished habitats for birds, causing a decline in bird populations at these sites. As wetlands shrink, local fishing communities experience adverse effects, particularly with reduced fish catches.  

Local communities are now hunting migrating birds for income and protein due to rising commercial prices. Data from the 2023 NCE mid-winter bird census revealed a significant decline in species diversity, with only 65 species recorded.  Historically, bird hunting at Lake Burullus was primarily for sustenance. However, hunters have recently, engaged in indiscriminate methods such as using guns, traps on telecommunication structures, calling devices, and nets, driven by increasing demand. In 2017, NCE released a report named “Hunting and Trapping Practices in Egypt’s Northern Mediterranean Coast,” highlighting illegal bird trapping methods including bird-calling devices. The report indicated that these illegal practices have persisted for years, leading to a decline in bird populations.   

At a workshop hosted by NCE targeting hunters in Al-Maqsaba village near Lake Burullus, the hunters reminisced about a time when the lake was abundant with diverse bird species. “I’ve been on this lake since I was 14. Back then, birds flew so close you could almost touch them. Now, speedboats scare them away, and what’s left falls victim to sound traps and nets”, says Bakri Ayman, a hunter. 

Traditional practices of licensed and sustainable hunting have been supplanted by fast motorboats and sound devices that lure birds into traps, along with extensive fishing nets. While these methods yield quick profits, they threaten the lake’s fragile ecosystem. The hunters themselves expressed worries, not only regarding diminishing bird populations but also their livelihoods as overhunting worsens.  “The birds don’t feel safe here anymore.  They stay away from the shores. Without intervention, both the birds and the hunters will vanish”, laments Mohamed Mahrous, a hunter. 

“Hunting birds is how I make a living; there isn’t any other job for me. It started as a passion from childhood. Most of my family members have fish farms, and before that, they fished in the lake using traps (“gawabi“). I’ve noticed that bird numbers decrease yearly, and according to our elders, there were far more birds in the past”, he adds 

“There is need  for  NCE to effectively   collaborate  with the community in reducing bird hunting in the region, which is why we  are working with communities to transition from hunting birds to bird watching for visitors while maintaining their income”, says  Haitham Mossa, NCE’s Conservation Director. 

Following the  forced relocation of communities linked to the construction of the dam, Bujagali hydropower in Uganda, communities received compensation through the establishment of designated areas for community development. One such area, the Bujagali fishers Area, became a central meeting  place for local fishermen. According to a social-cultural assessment by NU, most of the 1,400 fishermen in the region are reportedly considering a transition from fishing to ecotourism. “This trend is likely due to the dwindling fish population in the river and insufficient infrastructure, like shelters for protection during the rainy season”  adds James Ouro, a fisherman. 

Moreover, NatureUganda has provided training to forty local community members in bird guiding as part of its capacity-building efforts. This training covered crucial topics such as ethical considerations, the proper use of birding equipment, and techniques for identifying different bird species. During practical sessions, trainees have observed a variety of bird species, including Fish Eagles  (Haliaeetus vocifer), Long-tailed Cormorants (Microcarbo Africanus) , African Open-billed Storks (Anastomus lamelligerus ) and Terns, among others. 

‘We believe the training equipped participants with vital skills for identifying various bird species, which is essential for effective bird guiding. Furthermore, it nurtured a greater appreciation for the significance of wetlands and the need for environmental conservation.’ says Achilles Byaruhanga, NU’s Executive Director. 

Different scales and community dynamics 

The study highlighted significant environmental stress at Lake Burullus compared to Jinja. This can be attributed to Burullus wetlands’ proximity to the sea and the large volumes of wastewater contributing to habitat pollution, whereas Jinja’s wetlands are primarily affected by industrial effluents and encroachment. In Jinja, local fishing communities regard birds as opportunities for ecotourism, while in Burullus, birds are mainly seen as sources of protein and income, especially during migration seasons. 

At Jinja, the fishing community experienced little competition, fostering collaboration through shared meetings. This cooperation enhanced their adaptability to conservation solutions, benefiting both the community and the biodiversity of the region. This communal strategy bolstered the fishermen’s socio-economic stability and promoted sustainable practices that safeguarded fish and bird populations.  In contrast, the intense competition for resources at Lake Burullus created a different dynamic, pushing communities to find alternative incomes and widening socio-economic disparities. Such fragmentation hinders cohesive conservation strategies and contributes to the depletion of fish stocks, which poses a threat to bird populations.  

Addressing gaps in community approaches to conservation 

The study also illuminated the complex relationship between environmental conservation and socioeconomic growth. While Jinja’s communities have adopted ecotourism and are moving toward sustainable livelihoods, Lake Burullus communities are struggling with increased competition and resource depletion, resulting in hunting migratory birds for income. This underscores the need for a holistic approach to biodiversity conservation. Thus, safeguarding the Nile’s wetlands and tackling socio-economic challenges necessitates cross border  cooperation grounded in knowledge exchange and best practices,  as exemplified by the partnership between  NatureUganda and NCE 

“Wetlands have a fragile future, pointing to the intricate relationship between ecosystems and human livelihoods. Improved collaboration could involve exchanging data on migratory patterns, tracking ecosystem health, and controlling invasive species to ensure the long-term sustainability of these critical regions. Programs that connect biodiversity conservation with economic development such as eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, or fishing can greatly improve environmental health and community prosperity, thereby safeguarding these precious wetlands., concludes Khaled Noby, NCE’s CEO. 

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