Environmental conservation program

Project name: Environmental conservation program

Location : Bebera Beaches , Sahil Region, Somaliland

Donor : SAREDO

Implemented by: SAREDO

Partners: Local Community

Project duration: 6 months

1. Marine Environment Workshop (19/04/2007)

Environmental Sustainability Program aimed

1.to maintain and protect the environment,

2.to raise the level of environmental awareness.

3.Formulate environmantal action programes to prtect the environmrent through inhanced collaboration of the major community parts ,the governmental agencies ,the youth ,and the civil society.

40 participants gathered including the mayor of Berbera,The local government Community Affiars Director, fishing companies and figures from the local community the objective of the workshop was to discuss and understand ways and means of protecting the environment as well as the creation of Environment Preservation Procedures . this workshop has ended successfully and yielded fruitful results.

2. Conservation program (25/05/2007)

This program has been the key results of the Marine Environment Workshop,SAREDO organized a group of youth volunteers to launch a beach cleaning campaign, where masses of garbage including plastic bags,food/soft drinking cans ware collected and then burned

3. Challanges discoverd during the Conservation Program

A.Sewage

Berbera is facing a growing problem of sewage pollution. Different forms of sewage are being released into nearby sea with serious implications for human health and the natural environment.

More recently, between September and November 2007, the newly established Berbera College of Fisheries and Maritime Studies with the assistance of SAREDO team, conducted a program of coastal water quality monitoring at several locations around the city. Water samples from the sea were analyzed.

The findings of this survey indicated that sewage pollution is significant.

Small hotels and guesthouses that lie near the sea are mostly responsible in Berbera's sewage problems. they utilize small pipes for sewage disposal and tend to experience problems of over loading during peak visitor periods. Like most households, these small hotels and restaurants release grey water that has received no treatment at all.

Restaurants, including fast food outlets, pose a particular problem because of the large amounts of oils, fats and food remains that they release directly to a 5meter distance seawater.

Berbera has a just a 5 km long line distance attached to the sea which is mostly polluted environment.

Sewage pouring in to the nearby sea is polluting water and the coastline and endangering the health and welfare of people and animals that inhabit them.

There are some inter-related problems as a result of sewage including

A .Environmental

1. Nature deformation.

2. Loss of tourism Attractions.

3. Loss of some fish species.

4. Change of water color

B. Health;

1. Periodic outbreaks of new diseases.

C. Social;

1. Transportation difficulty.

2. Loss of a large coastline area due to heaps of pollution.

3. There is an increased risk of illnesses associated with swimming in areas with high densities of pollutant materials

The successful management of sewage pollution in Berbera can be achieved. It is not an impossible task but it will require an input of human and financial resources. Where there is the will then a way can be found. Sahil Rehabilitaion and Development Organization SAREDO stands ready to work with all concerned in dealing with this problem.