SURFACE WATER CONSERVATION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: AIMS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES

Water is one of the essential factors for civilization, and also among the most important items in the new world order. In semi-arid areas, water scarcity is the greatest challenge and is an important driving force in the process affecting the landscape and has become one of the most serious environmental problem attracted much attention worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the applicability of water conservation methods, their positive impacts and theirfurther challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa. To meet this objective data were collected from published papers dedicated to water conservation in Sub Saharan Africa. Many studies have shown, successfully implemented water conservation practices. In this order, some water conservation methodshave been developed, appliedand improved over time in several countries. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that water conservation is crucial for agriculture, economical benefits, and environmental mitigation in sub-Saharan Africa. In thisregards, water harvesting and conservation initiatives have been seen as a useful tool for agricultural production, soil protection and biodiversity conservation. However, most of water conservation methods were not realized due to multiple challenges including poverty, lack of education, climate change and others. For example, due to the high cost, many water conservation initiatives could not be applied by local populations. To successfully reverse this trend, interventions must be rethought. Therefore, more suitable and less expensive technologies must be considered.