JPRS 71956

29 September 1978

TRANSLATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

No, 180

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4. Title and Subtitle

1. Report No.

JPRS 71956

TRANSLATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, No. 180

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JPRS 71956

29 September 19 78

TRANSLATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

No. 18Q

CONTENTS PAGE

ASIA

MALAYSIA

Regulations on Discharge of Palm Oil Effluent in Effect

(Anne Koh; BUSINESS TIMES, 1 Jul 78) .... 1

NEW ZEALAND

Car Pollution Soars in Christchurch

(THE PRESS, 4 Jul 78) 2

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Afforestation for Pollution Control

(Wei Kuo-jung; KWANGMING DAILY, 23 Jun 78) 5

CANADA

Quebec Said To Be Poorly Protected From Radioactivity

(Jean-Pierre Bonhomme; LA PRESSE, 9 Sep 78) ............ 7

NEAR EAST & NORTH AFRICA

INTER-ARAB AFFAIRS

Conflict Between Man, Environment Examined

(Jim Muir; EVENTS, 8 Sep 78) 9

SUDAN

SYRIA

Need for Expansion, Development of Forests Emphasized

(Hamid Mohammad Hamid; AL-AYYAM, 13 Jun 78) 12

Creation of 1,100-Kilometer Green Belt To Begin This Year

(Jihad Muhammad; TISHRIN, 15 Aug 78) ...... ...~ 15

- a - [III - INT - 139]
CONTENTS (Continued) Page

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

BOTSWANA

Okavango 'Wild Swamp Paradise1 Said in Danger

(Les Luckhoffj THE STAR, 7 Sep 78) 19

DJIBOUTI

Equipment for Drilling Water Wells

(LE REVEIL DE DJIBOUTI, 13 Jul 78) 20

ETHIOPIA

Details on Rain Damage to Addis Ababa

(THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD, 24 Aug 78) 22

Reforestation Effort in Assela

(THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD, 18 Jul 78) 23

Briefs

Heavy Rain Damage 24

NIGERIA

Anti-Desertification Efforts Described

(Biola Ajoni, Mustapha Ba'aba; DAILY TIMES, 5 Sep 78) 25

Afforestation Program in Sokoto State

(NEW NIGERIAN, 18, 23 Aug 78) 27

President's Speech, by Olusegun Obasanjo

Tree Planting Compulsory, by Mu'azu Alhaji

Briefs

Funds for Forest Plantations 33

RHODESIA

Country Termed Largely Unpolluted

(THE HERALD, 19 Aug 78) 34

SENEGAL

Soumbedioune Bay Purification Project Starting in October

(Abdallah Faye; LE SOLEIL, 1 Sep 78) 36

- b -
CONTENTS (Continued) Page

ZAMBIA

Lack of Funds Delays Installation of Antipollution Equipment

(SUNDAY TIMES OF ZAMBIA, 3 Sep 78) . .. 39

USSR

Pollution Control Measures in Belorussia Discussed

(A. Shalushkov; PROMYSHLENNOST» BELORUSII, Jul 78) .. 40

WESTERN EUROPE

CYPRUS

Lack of Environmental Concern Stirs Criticism

(BASIN, 20 Jul 78) .... 43

TURKEY

Istanbul Population Estimates, Attendant Plans Presented

(MILLIYET, 18 Aug 78) 47

Plan To Require Factories To Move Out of Istanbul

(Alp Orcun; GUNAYDIN, 8 Jul 78) 49

Briefs

Marmaris Forest Fire Damage 51

- c -
MALAYSIA

REGULATIONS ON DISCHARGE OF PALM OIL EFFLUENT IN EFFECT

Kuala Lumpur BUSINESS TIMES in English 1 Jul 78 p 1

[Article by Anne Koh]

[Text]

THE "EJnvironmehtal

[Quality' »(ffrescfUied)

(Crude Palm .0i$fi*egu-

• lations will come into

[force today necessitating

the 102 mills in Malaysia

!'to check effluents to ensure they do not pollute

I waterways.

I A Ministry of Science,

[Technology and Environmentspokesman said

yesterday the government will not, however,

impose fines if mills

were found contravening

'the regulations this year.

' Instead, the spokesman said, if the effluents

} exceed the BOD (bidchefmical oxygen demand)

[limit which from today

jtill June 30, 1979, is 5,000

mg/litre, they will have

ho pay an excess fee;

f The fee works out at

[=$100 for evervjijnetric ton

f of BOD ss of

[the * sltpu>l||iij§WMiaxi-

<: mum? tjVfwr?«|fune ' 30,

f 1979, the! tofllsjÄ^Il be

subject tOiefine|Kif up to

' $5,000 äs s,t|pulMed under tip,Enyjr^riS&^tal

Quality ;&#$#?$« '« 1

The limftf of BOD if

2,ooo mg/lf^bm July l,

1979, to Jurip 30, 1980;

1,000 mg/1 from July 1,

1980, to Junig; 30, 1981;

and 500 mg/i from July 1,

1981* to June 30, 1982.

The spokesman said

all the mills have applied

for licences to operate,

another requirement wider the regulations. ', ,. A check on most mill|

here show that they*hay4

carried out various re%

search and trials::cjni;;efri|

fluent disposal and'areH

ready«^p}^k .M|fafe>J$k'e'et •

the iniUajj«flu|rements

Mr'B^TOfemim,' the

deputy .director-'!of tne

operations' division of

Kumpulan Guthrie Sdn.

Berhad, said his! c,ompa-

! ny will stop <q$bwßäfr

effluents'into rivers from

four of its five mills from

today.

The-effluents from the

f

"nr mills will instead be

carefully applied to crop

land emplbymg a procer

dure of carefuHytfc^topl|-

led rates of 'sxäS&pfä1-. Mr'BSl^ÄSsad it

had been ?sKwn that the

raw effluent improves

the physical condition of

the soil and makes avail*

able valuable nutrients

in organic forriS

"There is also ihcrea*

sing evidence of the ab:

senqe pf any adverse en^

vironmental effects from

the lafld äppiieatibn of

effluent carrMa out in

this manner," lie added,

At the fifth mill, in

Rantau in Negri Sembilan, where the terrain is

unsuitable for land distribution of the effluent,

Guthrie will employ a

process ;pf anaerobic di-.

gestiori to reduce the

BOD Jeyebio»Mte1w»,J,ooq

mg/litre«A filptM, • After,that, theipflfeent

,is pumpedätpMplWIM cohtroltedr;pä*ÄPIst^ • mise utilisatiortt'&MtS' nutrients.- ^.iuiJilSlff"'*"

- Guthrie's^li

cqnS|^ftd|S

'pÄStjpot'1 FPB per at)

ate äppröi

480,000 toi

Another. c|?ift]|any*

which favpjifs ahaerbbic

diges/tion ofV; selfluentsJ

said it was stilljGPndüCT.

ting experiments. A'

spokesman said lhat un-.

til a foolproof JinetHod

was worked pütithecomr;

pany was quite;prepared

to pay the initial iifjes.,:

Another :öp#rato|;^s^-

mated that it would cost

as much as $6 mifjion. for

a 20-ton capacity mill to

jset - up£: a...,prMB^e'",.4rPftt-

-•-?--S|ng?|HHKibh,! an

expensive?^l^ject, the

mill pret^^pT !tO still

look at v&ifibus possibilities before Committing capital at this stage.

He said so^ceMmeriijient%pn VJ@SHT

on pfflueÄ|t

. werpj.yielcH^pl

Bernäinkt

CSO: 5000
NEW ZEALAND

CAR POLLUTION SOARS IN CHRISTCHURCH

Christchurch THE PRESS in English 4 Jul 78 p 1

[Text] Christchurch traffic engineers, scientists, and doctors are mystified by the rising level in Christchurch of nitrogen oxide--a pollutant that

usually comes from car exhausts.

The level of nitrogen oxide in Christchurch is increasing at a faster rate

than is the number of vehicles through the city.

Authorities on pollution attribute some of the increases to the slowing of

traffic flows because of traffic lights and congestion. Cars idling, or

accelerating then decelerating at slow speeds, give off more polluting gases

than those travelling at more normal speeds.

According to figures given by the Health Department's air pollution centre

in Christchurch, nitrogen oxide levels exceeding the high level of 200 micrograms per cubic metre of air have increased markedly in the last four years.

Yet traffic flows have not altered.

An example is the stretch of Manchester Street between Hereford Street and

Worcester Street.

The department's monitor recorded readings exceeding the high level in 1974

three times; in 1975, 14 times; in 1976, 34 times; and last year 41 times.

Miss Rosemary Patterson, assistant air pollution control officer, attributed

some of the increase to the installation of traffic lights at Hereford

Street and Worcester Street, causing acceleration and deceleration of vehicles.

The City Engineer (Mr M. J. Gadd) said that the lights were controlled by

computers to stop traffic congestion.

Mr Gadd agreed that the acceleration and deceleration of cars for traffic

lights did increase nitrogen oxide, but he said that the rate of pollution

increase could not all be attributed to traffic lights.
The fact that the big increase of nitrogen oxides in Christchurch's inner

city cannot all be attributed to the lights and the traffic leaves a mystery.

Perhaps in a time of recession, untuned cars are emitting more pollutants.

A tune-up for a four-cylinder car is likely to cost about $30.

Mr Austin Cole, manager of Lichfield Motors, said that people definitely

were leaving it longer before they had their cars tuned.

Mr Cole said that cars coming to his garage for tuning needed far more work

done on them than in the past. He estimated that if legislation enforcing

emission tests came into being, 78 percent of cars in Christchurch would fail,

Miss Paterson said that the highest pollution level this year for Manchester

Street was 711 micrograms of nitrogen oxide per cubic metre of air. That

record for Christchurch was taken on June 17, and the average for the city

that day was 505 micrograms.

The Canadian air quality objectives say that maximum nitrogen oxide levels

for 24 hours must not exceed 200 micrograms, and that the maximum tolerable

level is 300 micrograms.

Miss Paterson said that although the term "tolerable" was not explained by

the Canadian authorities, sufferers from asthma and bronchitis would certainly not be able to tolerate levels above 300 micrograms.

Dr J. E. Ferguson, a reader in chemistry at the University of Canterbury,

said that he was not sure why the level of nitrogen oxides in Christchurch

should be increasing to such an extent while the traffic flow remained

stable, but a survey in Sydney had shown that slower speeds in town did

increase the levels.

Dr Fergusson said that the petrol quality in New Zealand had not changed in

the last few years, and he did not think that the petrol grading now would

lead to greater pollution.

Dr M. McEwan, a lecturer in chemistry at the university, suggested that the

temperatures at the time of the recordings should be noted, as there might

be a link between the two.

Dr J. McLeod, a chest physician at The Princess Margaret Hospital, said

that the levels in Christchurch at present would certainly affect such

people as asthmatics who already had damaged lungs, and those with sensitive noses and throats.

Healthy people would be affected if the level of nitrogen oxide continually

exceeded 200 micrograms for most of the year, Dr McLeod said.
Smoke levels in Christchurch have exceeded the World Health Organisation's

goal of 120 micrograms per cubic metre of air, 10 times this year.

The excessive smoke was recorded in May and June, and on the two days of

this month. It was expected to be excessive again last evening.

Lack of winds caused by a ridge of high pressure resulted in low-lying smog

over much of Christchurch yesterday.

Although the pollution appeared thick in parts the Meterological Office

described the temperature inversion layer as slight and the pollution as

only moderate.

The office expected the inversion layer and absence of winds to continue

today and possibly tomorrow.

CSO: 5000
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

AFFORESTATION FOR POLLUTION CONTROL

Peking KWANGMING DAILY in Chinese 23 Jun 78 p 1

[Article by Wei Kuo-jung [7279 09^ 2837] : "Anti-poisonous Gas Tree Species

Selected Out by Kuangtung Provincial Institute of Botany to Contribute to

Environmental Protection"]

[Text] Through the cooperative efforts of the Environmental Protection Group

of Kuangtung Provincial Institute of Botany, the Department of Forestry of

Hua-nan College of Agriculture, Canton Chemical Plant, Canton Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant, Canton Heavy Machinery Plant, and Canton Municipal Afforestation Committee and after several years of survey, research, and experimentation, several tens of species of trees, which are resistant to the harmful

gases in the region of Canton,have been selected out from among several hundred species of plants to contribute to afforestation of industrial districts,

purification of the urban atmosphere, and the protection of the evironment.

[The related organizations]have received commendations from the National

Scientific Conference. At present, these species are being extended and planted at a group of factories in Canton.

Due to the fact that in industrial cities, the exhaust from burned fuels, production procedures, and transportation vehicles, contains such harmful substances as sulfur dioxide, chlorine, nitrogen oxide, hydrogen fluoride, etc.

the atmosphere is polluted to the extent of seriously affecting the health of

humans and the growth of plants. Beginning in 1973, the Canton Municipal Afforestation Committee organized related scientific research units and colleges

to carry out, first of all, a survey of more than thirty factories to determine

the condition of damage and growth of the treees, the crop plants, the fruit

trees, and other plants in the vicinity. Based upon the condition of pollution, the nature and the density of the pollutants, and such other factors as

the condition of the soil, the vigor and the bionomics of the plants, the ability of the plants to resist and/or to absorb the harmful gases was determined.

As a result, a preliminary group of fifty plus species were selected out to be

trees and plants having relatively better resistance.
For the purpose of obtaining reliable scientific data, some experimental

units carried out artificial fumigation tests with sulfur dioxide, chlorine,

and hydrogen fluoride for more than four hundred species of plants, which had

commonly been used for afforestation in the region of Canton. Experiments

were also carried out by planting plants in the polluted sites of the factories, by pot culture, etc. Control plots were established in the Botanic

Garden, and there were also studies on the physiological and biochemical reactions of plants. Among the first group of species of relatively high resistance to a mixed gas of primarily chlorine, there are twenty-one species

including Indian and alpine Ficus wightiana, Jambosa vulgaris, DC, Hainan

Phaseolus mungo, Cinnamomum Cassia Bl., Nerium odorum, etc. Among those

that are relatively more resistant to a mixed gas of primarily sulfur dioxide there are small-leaved Ficus, Mei-li Ficus, woody Ephedra, Viola tricolor, heart fruit, rice lily, etc., totaling twenty-two species. Those

that are relatively more resistant to a mixed gas of primarily hydrogen

fluoride are Livistonia chinensis,Br., Machilus Nanmu, Hemsl., rubber Ficus,

Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack., etc., totaling nineteen species. Scientific

experiments have proved that these resistant tree species grow well under

an environment of constant pollution by harmful gases. At present, the first

group of resistant tree species thus selected out have been planted at Canton Chemical Plant, Canton Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant, and Canton Chemical

Fiber Plant and the survival rate has been very high. More than seventeen

thousand trees and shrubs belonging to several tens of species have been

planted on the grounds of the Canton Chemical Plant, where it had been difficult for trees to stay alive. These newly planted trees and shrubs are

distributed in more than thirty little gardens and afforestation of the

grounds of that plant has been basically a reality.

Since the spring of this year, following the important directive of the municipal committee concerning the fact that afforestation of cities should begin at the factories, many plants have launched the program of planting trees

for pollution control. According to available statistics, more than sixtyeight thousand stands of various tree species have been planted at the more

than one hundred ten factories of the city [[Canton,]] an increase of 30 percent over the same time last year.

6l68

CSO: 5000
CANADA

QUEBEC SAID TO BE POORLY PROTECTED FROM RADIOACTIVITY

Montreal LA PRESSE in French 9 Sep 78 p B7

[Article by Jean-Pierre Bonhomme]

[Text] The Quebec public is poorly protected against radioactive radiation,

particularly that which comes from equipment used in medicine, and the Council of Ministers of Quebec is poorly informed on this subject.

Dr Jean-Marc Legare, chief of the Radio-Protection Section in the Environmental Protection Services, expressed that opinion yesterday during an interview in which governmental control methods relative to dissemination into the

environment of mining residues and other natural radioactive substances were

mentioned.

Jean-Marc Legare, a doctor of physiology from the University of Montreal and

a diplomate of the American Board of Radiology, is afraid that because of

the skepticism of provincial civil servants at the intermediate level concerning the action of protectors against radiation, Quebec will abandon all

its purisdiction over radioactivity to the federal government. The radiation

protection specialist, who has been in the employ of the Quebec government

since 1969, believes that his activity, like that of his colleague,

Paul E. Carrieres, is not taken seriously by all the authorities of officialdom. For proof of this bureaucratic indifference he offers the fact that

the Quebec Radiation Protection Service has only three officers, while English Canada, counting the federal government, may have recourse to the services of some 400 persons. For his part, the Ontarian Environment Minister

musters radiation protection personnel of 20 persons.

It is because of that lack of personnel, Mr Legare affirms, that the government of Quebec has not yet been able to complete valuable studies of the

problem posed by the propagation in the environment of the Varennes region,

below Montreal, of radioactive residues resulting from the operations of the

Erco Company. The Erco plant produces fertilizers from phosphates imported

from the state of Florida. The radioactivity of these substances is well

known.
Mr Legare and Mr Carrieres said yesterday that a real problem is involved,

which must of necessity be worried about, even though it will probably never be necessary to take broad emergency measures. For the moment, they said,

the government services just took preliminary samples two years ago.,

The specialists indicated that the Varennes residues, part of which are composed of solidified slag from phosphate-fusing operations, are probably not

so injurious as those from the former Oka mine, which are a fine dust that

wind action diffuses throughout the environment.

It is because of the action of these officials that the operators of a quarry, "the Oka Aggregates", were forced to terminate their activities. It is

known that the affair was taken to court by the legal service of the Environmental Protection Service.

Dr Legare also emphasizes that the most serious problem relative to the effects of radioactivity on humans lies in hospital environments. He explains

that since 1972, since the adoption of the environmental quality law, his

service no longer has the power to exercise any control over radiation from

medical equipment. Since that time, he adds, there is absolutely no control

over x-ray equipment and over the frequency of their use. In several hospitals and several private clinics, the regulation protective walls do not

exist and the personnel are subjected to dangerous doses. In other cases

patients are poorly protected and the x-ray beams are often directed at parts

of the anatomies—the gonads—which should not be exposed.

He reminds us that the somatic and hereditary effects of ionizing radiation

are very well known, "from the point of view of acute and chronic effects—

the effects on the eyes and skin, in terms of the wavelength of the ultra

violet rays and lasers are the best known".

The doctor stresses that because of the paucity of means given him, Quebec is

abandoning, in other instances, the whole field of non-ionizing physical agents, that is ultra violet rays, infra red rays, lasers, masers, microwaves

and electromagnetic and mechanical waves.

If a disaster were to occur in Gentilly, the doctor said--according to him this

is possible, despite the decline of work in nuclear power plants, Quebec

would not be prepared to face it, not being in effective communication with

the sites.

8946

CSO: 5000
INTER-ARAB AFFAIRS

CONFLICT BETWEEN MAN, ENVIRONMENT EXAMINED

Beirut EVENTS in English 8 Sep 78 pp 44-45

[For Part I of this series see JPRS 71797, 1 September 1978, No 178 of this

series, pp 24-28]

[Article by Jim Muir: "Environment Under Seige, II"]

[Text]

PETROLEUM POLLUTION

&& Principal zones of petroleum pollution

Zones where discharge of petroleum is permitted

ODOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION

Principal cunlres ol pollution

- Degree ot pollution &JL

Every year, the Mediterranean gives us

about a million tonnes offish. In return,

we dump in it up to a million tonnes of

oil, countless thousands of tonnes of

untreated sewage, garbage, and industrial wastes laced with toxic chemicals

and poisonous heavy metals. Throughout history, we have tended to look on

our seas and oceans as infinite: infinitely giving of their goodness, and

infinitely forgiving of our impositions.

As invother environmental domains,

our ever-growing demands are catching

up with us and for some years the

alarm bells have been ringing over pollution in the Mediterranean. Some

environmentalists have predicted that,

ifwe go on as we are, the sea will be dead

within a matter of years. There is also

great concern over the potential threat

to the Gulf and the Red Sea. .

The strain on the Mediterranean has

greatly increased recently, and has

made it the priority for concern of the

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) after its establishment

in 1972. The threat comes from various

sources. The upsurge in oil shipping
inevitably meant a degree of oil pollution, accidental or deliberate. Rapid

industrialisation - mainly on the European side butlatterly on the North African coast - has brought a growing

influx of industrial pollutants. Population growth and the migration trend

towards coastal cities has brought the

basin's inhabitants to more than 250

million, swollen by an annual invasion

of 30 million tourists, and there is a

corresponding rise in the amount of

sewage and garbage being dumped.

Much environmental concern has

been focused on oil pollution, and particularly on the risk of a major oiltanker disaster. Something like 350

million tonnes of oil is shipped across

the Mediterranean every year, and the

expansion of the Suez Canal will mean

that vessels of even greater tonnage

will be crossing the Mediterranean in

the early 1980s, further enhancing the

risk of a catastrophic accident. The

Mediterranean has so far escaped a

major oil spill, but one marine pollution

specialist, Professor Aftim Acra of the

American University of Beirut (AUB),

believes that a disaster of Amoco Cadiz

magnitude "would destroy the Mediterranean." Another recent study concluded cagily that "no practical assessment has yet been made ofthe potential

effects of a massive oil spill on such a

poor and fragile environment as the

Mediterranean."

One of the main results of the

"Mediterranean Action Plan" sponsored by UNEP was the establishment

in 1976 of the Oil Spill Control Centre

at Malta. Its effectiveness has yet to be

tested; some experts are doubtful about

its chances of controlling a major spill,

and about the soundness ofsome of the

chemical dispersants now being used.

The danger is particularly acute for the

Mediterranean, since it is almost landlocked and its waters flush out into the

Atlantic on an 80-year cycle and at

depth, meaning that surface pollutants

are left behind.

Studies show that, so.far, accidents

have constituted only a minor element

in the Mediterranean's pollution

build-up. Much more significant is the

"chronic" pollution from daily malpractices. One recent reportlisted these

major contributors, in order of gravity,

as: deballasting, (the pumping out of

the oil-fouled water used to fill oiltanks

on return journeys), the discharge of

bilge water, the washing out of oil

tanks, effluents from refineries, and

discarded lubricants. Studies estimate

that 30,000 tonnes of oil pollutants are

dumped annually, and 20,000 tonnes

accidentally spilled at refineries. Leakage from ships in transitis estimated at

62,000 barrels per day - a figure which

would yield an annual input of over 3.3

million tonnes per year, although more

conservative estimates put it as halfto

one million tonnes.

If oil is spilled, the impact is immediately apparent in the sight ofthousands

ofdying seabirds. In the longer term, oil

is decomposed under the influence of

marine organisms. But in so doing, it

uses up the oxygen in the water, which

cannot be reoxygenated because the oil

seals it from the atmosphere. An oil

spill involving a 100,000-tonne tanker

would need the oxygen from something

like 40 billion cubic metres of water,

thus depleting a large area and destroying its marine life. Once decomposed, the oil is reduced to tar balls

which can float in the sea or pollute

regional coastlines for years.

Some progress towardsrestricting oil

pollution, by the prevention ofdumping

from tankers and aircraft, has been

made under the Mediterranean Action

Plan, but by early this year only six of

the 16 countries involved - and not the

major offenders - had ratified the 1976

protocol.

Even less progress has been made

towards dealing with the industrial

sewage and garbage pollution. Heavy

metal and pesticide pollution is considerable, particularly on the European

side. A protocol on pollution from landbased sources was included in UNEFs

original action plan in 1975, but has so

far defied implementation (see Events

49). The Monaco inter-governmental

meeting in January this year again put

off a decision, but sponsored a comprehensive study of river pollution as

well as a 650 page book on the current

state of the Mediterranean.

If few concrete results have so far

been achieved, UNEP's efforts have at

least created awareness and provided a

framework which will stand in good

10
stead if some of the more gloomy predictions look like coming true. The

AUB's Professor Acra believes that

damage to the Mediterranean will

increase and may reach a critical point,

but thatthis new-found awareness will

avert the ultimate disaster. His own

country is one of the worst offenders:

pre-war Beirut used to dump around

1,200 tonnes of untreated garbage

daily, and vast quantities of rubbish

continue to foul the coastline. A small

but active Fight Pollution Club plansto

launch a major clean-up campaign next

year.

The formula adopted by UNEP for

promoting environmentally-sound

development in the Mediterranean was

later applied in the Gulf, where it met

with a more immediate response. This

may have been because the Gulfstates

are more homogeneous: the main political problem intruding on the discussions was a sharp dispute between

Iran and its eight Arab neighbours over

what the Gulf should be called.

But it also reflected the gravity ofthe

environmental hazards facing the region, dangers potentially greater even

than those threatening the Mediterranean: its almost enclosed waters are

shallow and warm, with limited capacity for breaking down and dispersing

pollutants, which are driven shorewards by the prevailing winds and currents.

Around 60 per cent ofthe world's seaborne oil is shipped from the Gulf- an

estimated billion tonnes annually. On

average, 100 ships enter the narrow

Hormuz Straits every day, and the risks

of collision are increased by the multiplicity oflocal traffic and oil rigs. Oil

riches have spurred a sudden proliferation of industrial plant and

development. Onshore industrial complexes are, therefore, expected to be the

main source of pollution hazard.

Furtherstrain is imposed by the wastes

from the cities, growing at an unprecedented rate: urban population is

doubling in from four to ten years.

The Gulf states met under UNEP

auspices in Kuwait in April to sign

treaties and adopt an Action Plan to

introduce environmental considerations into development. The

states pledged to prevent or combat pollution from all sources and to cooperate

in dealingwith any disasters. The meeting decided to establish an oil spill

emergency centre on Bahrein and to

make Kuwait the headquarters of a

Regional Organisation for the Protection of the Marine Environment. A

trust fund of $6.3m was also established. Experts are optimistic aboutthe

chances ofsuccess in the Gulf, notleast

because the states concerned already

share a high degree of regional awareness and have established cooperation

in other fields.

Less satisfactory are the prospects for

cooperation in the Red Sea. Although

industrialisation is not yetso intensive,

the narrow sea is a major oil-shipping

route, and the risk of collision is always

, there. Meetings sponsored by UNEP

and the Arab League's Economic, Cultural and Scientific Organisation

(ALECSO) were held in Jiddah in 1974

and 1976, but progress has been slow

because of the political conflicts in the

Horn of Africa.

CSO: 5000

11
SUDAN

NEED FOR EXPANSION, DEVELOPMENT OF FORESTS EMPHASIZED

Khartoum AL-AYYAM in Arabic 13 Jun 78 p 4

[Article by Hamid Mohammad Hamid: "An Official in the Forestry Department

Wonders: Is This Agricultural Expansion at the Expense of Pastures, Forests and Natural Beauty? Would Desert Encroachment Extend to Al-Jazirah?

Projects to Form Protective Belts and 300,000 Pounds to Plant Trees Along

Madany Street in Khartoum"]

[Text] Our correspondent met with one of the officials who is an expert

on forestry in al-Jazirah. Although it was a short meeting, it is quite

significant as we move rapidly toward agricultural and social development.

It reveals matters which deserve to be studied with extreme care.

Mr Ibrahim Ahmad, assistant to the forestry superintendent at al-Jazirah,

began: "This agricultural expansion at the expense of green pastures,

forests, trees and natural beauty is fraught with dangers, and we shall

limit ourselves to those affecting our forests."

"This agricultural expansion strips our land of forests and erodes our

soil. Although the desert encroachment started north of Kordofan and in

part of the White Nile, if we are not quick to save the greatest possible

acreage of forest and start forestation of land set aside for this purpose,

it will extend to al-Jazirah."

He went on to say that there are three types of forests at al-Jazirah—

Nile, secluded and camphor tree forests.

For decades, these forests have not been increased, due to expansion in

agricultural projects which yield annual revenue.

He divided the al-Jazirah forests into three categories:

1. Irrigated forests situated close to Abdul-Majid's agricultural project.

Their area is 2,359 feddans.

2. Sunt forest, bordering the Blue Nile. Its area is 7,000 feddans.

12
3. Secluded forests, with an area of 16,000 feddans.

The irrigated forests have no set appropriations of water requests submitted to the al-Jazirah project. Instead, they are irrigated with surplus water, requested by field inspectors, through the project's canals.

This is a situation which should be reconsidered.

Creation of Protective Belts

Mr Ibrahim said that al-Jazirah needs protective belts of dense trees.

Projects have been submitted to create such belts in the Rifaah region,

east of the Nile, and another in Wadi Mazzoub. This is in addition to

the proposals submitted by the superintendent of irrigated forests in

al-Jazirah.

He added, "We have submitted proposals to establish areas of forest reserves amounting to 79,000 feddans, situated in al-Batanah region, east

of al-Rahd."

Other Projects

"We have a new project, also, to line Madany Street in Khartoum with trees

from Madany to Tiri, a distance of 150 kilometers, at a cost of 300,000

pounds. The project is to be carried out in stages, at a cost of 2,000

pounds per kilometer, which includes the cost of irrigating wagons, water

tanks and an iron fence to protect the trees."

Creation of a Nursery

There is a project to create a nursery in the tourist-oriented Ambaronah

forest in Madany, to supply needed plants for the Mudirieh (province).

The cost is 7,000 pounds, 400 pounds have already been appropriated to

start the work.

Services

In addition to the above-mentioned projects and plans, the official said

they provide other services, such as supplying citizens with firewood,

since al-Jazirah produces no charcoal.

However, firewood is available at the average price of 182 pounds for a

feddan of camphor firewood and 77 pounds for the sunt wood.

(?Soil Improvement)

He spoke of (?soil improvement), which is an operation used to improve

the growth and production of the Nilotic forests.

13
Cycles of Cutting Forests

Forests are cut according to plan and time schedules. Thus, sunt trees

are cut once every 20 years and camphor trees once every 8 years.

Accordingly, expansion in forestation is needed in order to conserve this

resource, not to mention preserving the aesthetic beauty of forests and

their beneficial effects on the human soul.

The revenue from forests for the year 1977 was 85,000 pounds, much better

than the estimated figure of 26,000. The type of trees involved were the

following: sunt, camphor, salam, (Huraz Kuk and Hajlii).

However, in spite of all these efforts, the number of forest workers in

al-Jazirah does not exceed 225, plus 25 supervisors and experts.

No Budget for Development

In answer to a question about the budget, the official said that in spite

of our eagerness to achieve and succeed, there is no budget for development, or for the six-year plan for al-Jazirah forests. However, the

general budget for the year 1977-78 is 130,000 pounds.

The above is an account of our meeting with the official in the al-Jazirah

forestry department. It certainly reflects a great deal of careful study

and close examination. It highlights desert encroachment on farmland,

the effects of agricultural expansion at the expense of forests and pastures and effects on livestock and, consequently, on meat consumers. Accordingly, our development campaign should be a comprehensive one, allowing no aspect of the economy to benefit at the expense of another. The

so-called green al-Jazirah needs to take care of its forests, since in

fact it would be a desert had it not been for the lands used in agricultural projects.

Finally, forestation in the region of the giant al-Jazirah project would

benefit farmers and agricultural and seasonal workers. It would provide

them sheltering shade for rest before resuming their work. This is how

we view forest development in al-Jazirah.

9298

CSO: 5000

14
SYRIA

CREATION OF 1,100-KILOMETER GREEN BELT TO BEGIN THIS YEAR

Damascus TISHRIN in Arabic 15 Aug 78 p 2

[Article by Jihad Muhammad: "Creation of Green Belt Around Semidesert To

Begin Before End of Current Year; Belt Is 1,100 Kilometers Long and

Extends From Jordanian Borders to Iraqi Borders"]

[Text] Work will begin before the end of the current year to implement

the project to surround the Syrian semidesert with a green belt so as to

stop the encroachment of the desert on the populated areas—an encroachment that has intensified in recent years.

What Is Green Belt?

This has been stated by Engineer 'Abdallah Hamid, the director of forests

and afforestation at the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, who

said that the green belt project is tantamount to a strip of plant life

including forest and fruit trees and grazing shrubbery separating the

semidesert from the populated areas and filling the so-called marginal

area with a rainfall of 200 to 225 millimeters [annually].

Green Belt 1,100 Kilometers Long

The green belt will be 1,100 kilometers long and will extend from the

Jordanian borders in the south to the Iraqi borders in the northeastern

part of al-Hasakah Governorate and will pass through the governorates of

al-Suwayda', Dar'a, Damascus, Horns, Hamah, Aleppo, Idlib, al-Raqqah,

Dayr al-Zawr and al-Hasakah.

Goals of Project

This project seeks the following:

Eliminate veiled unemployment in these areas and raise the number of

working days from 30 to about 150 days annually, thus tying the farmer

to his land and reducing rural emigration because various forms of

15
afforestation require long hours of work when compared to the traditional

horizontal agriculture, such as the cultivation of barley, for example,

which requires 30 days annually for both planting and harvesting, keeping

in mind that planting seasons occur only once every several years in

these areas.

Increase individual income noticeably in these areas—an increase which

will reflect positively on the country's national income.

Improve the climate of the immediate belt area and of the area adjacent

to it, thus making this area suitable in the future for more stable and

less costly crops, in addition to re-covering this area with vegetation,

as it used to be in the past.

Stop desert encroachment on populated areas.

Secure refuge and feed for wild and domesticated animals. The project

will be implemented in phases in the form of green islands that will

grow longer and wider and that will increase in number annually until

they ultimately meet in the form of the required belt.

Trees To Be Planted in Green Belt

The various kinds of trees will be planted as follows:

Twenty percent forest trees in the areas unfit for fruit trees or grazing

shrubbery and on the sides of the public roads which will pass through

the belt.

Twenty-five percent grazing shrubbery in the areas well known for livestock breeding.

Fifty-five percent fruit trees, including olive trees, pistachio trees,

grapevines, fig trees and almonds.

The director of forests and afforestation noted that the country's political command is devoting major attention to the project. The country

will finance the initial work in the project, in addition to aid from the

World Food and Agriculture Organization and from the World Food Program

which are scheduled to contribute 12 to 17 million dollars in in-kind

donations consisting of foodstuffs [sic] for the green belt project, the

forest roads and afforestation project. The subsequent financial commitments will be shouldered by the country.

First Phase in al-Qasir Area

Implementation of the first phase of the project will begin in the next

few months with an island in al-Qasir area, Horns Governorate. The island

will be 10 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide and will include the

villages of Husayniyah, Shamsayn and Dumniyah al-Sharqiyah and will be

completed in 1980-81.

16
Map Demonstrating Green Belt

Key:

1. Al-Hasakah

2. (Nabaj)

3. Al-Bab

4. Aleppo

5. Idlib

6. Ariha

7. (Maskanah)

8. Al-Raqqah

9. Dayr al-Zawr

10. Hamah

11. (Silmiyah)

12. Horns

13. Damascus

14. Qatanah

15. Salkhad

16. Al-Suwayda'

17. Tall Shihab

18. (Busrat Hlsham)

19. Dar'a

Why One Island?

The reason for beginning with one island is due to:

The volume of the allocations and aid set aside for this purpose.

Exploring the situation of these areas, considering that this is a new

and pioneer experiment carried out in the country for the first time.

Gaining work experience by the technicians, considering that this is the

first time such an operation is carried out in cooperation between the

state and the citizens. The state will shoulder all the responsibilities

of preparing the land and providing the seeds, the seedlings, the protection and the care, etc. The citizen will only have to get training on

17
the technical matters pertaining to these trees, considering that the

trees will ultimately be owned by the citizen.

This means that this project is tantamount to giving on one side, namely

the state, in the interest of the citizens, of developing their capabilities and of improving their social standard and standard of living. In

light of completion of the first island, of the observations gathered

during implementation and the success that the island will achieve, the

form of implementation of the second island and of the belt as a whole

will be decided.

It is to be noted that a special Syrian committee headed by 'Abdallah

Hamid, the director of forests and afforestation in the Ministry of Agriculture, had conducted a free-of-charge field study for several months.

8494

CSO: 5000

18
BOTSWANA

OKAVANGO «WILD SWAMP PARADISE« SAID IN DANGER

Johannesburg THE STAR in English 7 Sep 78 p 11

[Article by Les Luckhoff in the column "Care"]

[Text] The eradication of the tsetse fly and a change in river flows are

threatening the Okavango delta in Botswana writes Les Luckhoff of the

Okavango Wildlife Society.

'To many it is still viTgin Africa. Theihabitat

is unspoilt, and wildlife abounds. But for

how long? Some conservationists already

feel that time is running out for Botswana's Okavango delta.

The, tsetse fly that, ha»

f'keptman and hi* cattle at

bay:,\—• and has in fact

claimed territory for the

delta in the last 50 years

—' is now being eradicated.

Even though the spraying

is still in the experimental

stage, large area's of the

;sw amps h a v e be en

sprayed with endosulphin

in an atternpt to Mil the

.tsetse.. .-'. •

Although the .spray

seems to have no effect

on other insects or on

vegetation, alarming reports of fish deaths have

been received.

The okavango Wildlife

Society has grave reservations about the spraying

programme, as once the

tsetse...fly has, gone, man

and cattle will rapidly encroach into the delta with

CSO: 4420

unkOwn results. Already

the mingling of cattle with

wjldbeeste has spread

foot-and-mouth disease.

;WVER FLOW

Perhaps ah exchange of

f land. is the, "answer if ;ths

game« and'&e-delta af^ tobe saved.'

Another threat is the

•' delta's changing topograr

I phy, Over %e. year« the

• fi o# of fee Okavango

tldyer has changed from

'soutb-fvest 'to? south-east

and experts fear that one

d a y the flow may be

|divert«fd ^northwards

•leaving th£ delta dry;

I The wh#e process could

:be happening now; ! One

'mdieation WSthe Savuti

Hliver, which, began flowing a few years ago after

- being dry for. a long time.

Now the Mobabi Depression has become one large

lake almost sealing off

access to the north.

-.: The delta's vast water

" «upply, although reported

to be unthreatened for

decades, must be carefully

.' watched as the most drasr tic changes can take place

(very suddenly in that

i delicate ecosystem.

I, Immediate demands for

'; water for agriculture and

[mining have ceased

: because of good rains, and

;, Anglo American say they

have a three-year water

Supply in the Mopipi Dam

r which can be supplemen-

'. ted by water from boreI hole's.

But, with the possible

opening of a new mine

would ;that be enough in

an extended drought?

TWOFttMS V

While the society costj»

' nues identifying: and providing solutions to some

; of the immense problems

which have arisen in the

delta, the real headaches

will always have to be

faced by the Botswana

Government, fortunately

it realises that it holds a

unique area in trust for

future generations.

The Okavang» Wildlife

: Society is screening The

.call of the Fi*b

! Eagle'* and "Safari by BalI Joon*' •— an outstanding

wildlife movie shot in

: Kenya — in the Senate

| House at the University

; of the Witwatersrand at 8

' pm every evening from

f September 8-tb 16;

19
DJIBOUTI

EQUIPMENT FOR DRILLING WATER WELLS

Djibouti LE REVEIL DE DJIBOUTI in French 13 Jul 78 p 3

[Article: "In a Few Weeks Ultra-Modern Equipment for Drilling Water Wells"]

[Text] Two contracts have been signed for the delivery of two 500-foot

deep drilling components: the first, obtained through loans from the

European Development Fund; the second, from funds made available to the

Republic of Djibouti by Saudi Arabia.

Delivery of this new equipment is to be made at the beginning of August,

which will make it possible to replace the two existing drills, now old

and worn. One of these two drills will be allocated to the northern part

of the country; the other, to the southern part, and will make it possible

to successfully carry out the drilling program that is needed for rural

and pastoral development.

Each component consists of a drill that is capable of working in both a

rotating motion or by percussion, to remove mud or air, and which is

capable of drilling to a diameter of up to 220 meters wide, and to explore

to a depth of 500 meters. This equipment is permanently mounted on a

truck having a three-axle carrier. It weighs a total of about 28 tons.

Four cross-country vehicles accompany this equipment, including a

6-cubic meter tank wagon, a truck to haul tubes, a crane truck and a

workshop truck.

This equipment will be set up by two technicians who will constitute the

existing personnel for a period of three months. Four drilling trainees

will be sent to Algeria, where the Foraco Company has a drilling school

to qualify persons to become drilling foremen. A person in charge of

maintenance and of special drilling equipment will complete a course of

training in France in order to receive training in the care of this new

equipment.

This new equipment that utilizes new techniques will make it possible to

drill more quickly and under better working:/, conditions for the personnel.

In particular, the technique of "drilling to the bottom" makes it possible

to obtain drillings up to 100 meters deep in ground that is very hard and

without water—the latter a very important point, since previously it was

very often necessary to supply water to work sites over a distance of more

than 50 km. 20
This new acquisition will be an excellent work tool for rural engineers

in exploiting the water resources of the national territory for the

development of rural centers, pastoral hydraulics, and the establishment

of irrigated areas for agriculture.

8255

CSO: 5000

21
ETHIOPIA

DETAILS ON RAIN DAMAGE TO ADDIS ABABA

Addis Ababa THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD in English 24 Aug 78 p 6

[Text] More damages have been reported as a result of flood caused by the heaviest downpour over Addis Ababa in 20 years that

occurred last Saturday evening.

Property estimated at a cost of 50,000 ous household goods were swept away. I

Birr has been damaged by flood in the Water supply systems hare also been disstorehouse of lhe Tourist Organization, mpted. Officials of the kebele reported

according to the organisation's inform- that property estimated at 200,00» Birr

ation and public relations office. ,Inclu- has been put out of order or spoiled. Afded among the destroyed items are fected persons are presently being given

•literary materials, books, handicrafts, care at temporary shelters set up with the

,1U1j . , co-operation of youths who volunteered nook shelves and various boxes. „ , . , ,

to offer their labour.

The flood, which steadily rose to a level „,, „' ,. , , „,',.,. . >,

, . , j . ,, The Relief and Rehabilitation iCom, of several imetres above ground m tine .. ,, „ ,. . „.>, mission and the Ethiopian Red Cross

storehouse, also destroyed prints and pic ^^ 66üaMtlfjoA to doüate food items

tures particularly prepared for the celeb- to the persons.

ration of the forthcoming fourth anniver- Meanwhile in Higher 2 kebele 17, the

saory of Revolution Day. -locality around the Ambassador Theatre

Beginning Monday, the workers of the where * ;*»*'• damage was recorded to

. . j • « .. be the highest, the Addis Ababa Fire Bri- organization B were engaged DO MI collecting ^ , , ,, ,. . .' -,.., ° gade had saved the UVes of two mdividuthe damaged items and drying them in ak worMng ag ^„^ ^ ^j^^-^

the sun in order to make them regain ministration. The fire brigade office mottheir previous shapes and condition, ed that its staff members were busy until

wi ei. i* midnight in the locality helping stranded

Temporary Shelter old persons and chUdren. It stated that

Meanwhile in Higher 114 kebele 18, a

the °ffice has hadover 200 telepb^ne calls

total of SO houses were slightly damaged the/f« evening and that fire brigade

i^ie-*. J •!.**.* J J •' li staff "a« done their best to cope with the by Saturday night's flood and misceUane- ^ui s ■■■

CS0: 4420 (ENA)

22
ETHIOPIA

REFORESTATION EFFORT IN ASSELA

Addis Ababa THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD in English 18 Jul 78 p 6

[Text] Assela--A week-long region-wide afforestation campaign is now in

progress in different districts and provinces of Arssi.

Sunday alone, over 20,000 seedlings were planted in Assela, regional capital

of Arssi by residents of different kebeles. Comrade Kassa Mulissa, mayor

of the town, Ato Taddese Wolde-Mikael, head of the regional office of the

Forestry and Wildlife Authority, staff members of the regional schools

office and Arssi Agricultural Development Unit were active participants in

the venture.

Meanwhile, in Debere-Markos province, Gojjam region, more than 20,000 tree

seedlings were planted in the town of Dejen last week. Taking part in the

afforestation campaign were members of different mass organizations. The

district administrator, cadres of the Provisional Office for Mass Organizational Affairs gave words of encouragement and agitations.

In Hararghe regional capital of Harar, a five-day afforestation campaign

got underway Sunday at the Hakim Hills at which thousands of seedlings

were planted in a single day venture.

Civilians, men-in-uniform and representatives of different mass organizations are taking part in the campaign.

CSO: 5000

23
ETHIOPIA

BRIEFS

HEAVY RAIN DAMA.GE--Torrential rains accompanied by gales destroyed crops

worth 20,000 Birr on 25 acres of land in Shebedino district of Sidamo region this week, it was reported from Awassa. The rains destroyed maize,

enset, coffee and chat plantations within the boundary of Jarandado Dayu

Autilchona peasants' association, according to the reports. In the Kegn

Terra Arba kebele, Jeddi district of Menagesha province, the recent heavy

rains and hailstorms have caused much damage to crops and animals. The

Arba River overflowed its banks, causing lot of damage, and carrying away

31 domestic animals, the Kegn Terra Arba kebele peasants' association said,

[Text] [Addis Ababa THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD in English 14 Jul 78 p 4]

CSO: 4420

24
ANTI-DESERTIFICATION EFFORTS DESCRIBED

NIGERIA

Lagos DAILY TIMES in English 5 Sep 78 pp 2, 7

[Article by Biola Ajoni and Mustapha Ba'aba]

[Excerpts] pECENTLY, the Head of

n

State, Lt.-General Olusegun Obasanjo, planted

some trees in Sokoto as

part of the preventive

measures against desertification. Already, the Federal Government has voted

N1Q million this financial

year for anti desertification crusade.

~~ In an interview, the federal director of Forestry.

Mr. Anthony Oseni said the

efforts of the Federal Government at combating desertification were directed

at preventing the desiccation

of the open soil and the

spread of sand in the Sahel

region. It also included the

resuscitation of the land so

that farming can continue,

steps were also being taken

at improving farmers agricultural process and the production of fodder for cattle.

There cannot be a meaningful anti-desertification

campaign unless those at

the grass-roots level are Involved in the campaign. Mr.

Oseni said. This was why

the Arid Zone Aforestation

Committee headed by Dr.

Anglo Abdullahi was set up

by the Federal Government.

The committee is charged

with, among, other things

educating the local inhabitants of the semi-arid zone

on desertification.

This having been accomplished, it becomes easier

to intensify other government desertification preven-

| tive measures designed for

general soil conservation

and to protect farmlands

and human settlements.

These other measures are

general tree planting, and

the establishment of shelterbelts.

The trees planted in Sokoto by Lt.-General Obasanjo in the first week of

August was in furtherance

of the general tree planting

campaign. Organised tree

planting exercise dates back

to the early 1940s in Katsina province of Kaduna

State. Its objective is general soil conservation.

A total of 251.000 seedlings of neem were distributed free to farmers between 1958 and 1970. The

outcome of the measure is

evident in the vegetation

around Katsina which is

richer in standing trees and

rVir"v,s than in areas around

Sokoto to the west and

Kp^pure to the south.

Since 1972 the number of

seedlings distributed free

to farmers has exceeded

one million annually. This

step has spread to Kano and

Sokoto states. There has

S been an increase in the

number of neem, eucalyptus and other trees growing around human dwellings and in the farm lands

in the semi-arid zone in

the last few years. This indicates an acceptance of the

planting measure by the

local population. They must

have realised the wind

breaking effects of the

trees on their farmlands.

Accaia albide is one of the

trees now being commonly

planted for Its valuable

fodder during the dry season.

However the effects of

the general tree planting is

yet to be established. It is

not known for example

whether the prescence of

many farm trees prevent

wind erosion or improve

soil fertility in the farms.

The shelterbelts aspect of

the anti-desertification

scheme is to protect farmlands and human dwellings

from the desiccating har.

mattan winds. During the

harmattan period vegetative

growth stops, grasses wither, and trees shed their

leaves.

The shelterbelts also serve as sources of wood for

the local population, ft has

now been discovered, after

trying several species, that

only neem and, sometimes,

Bargaruwa are sufficiently

drought hardy for use in

shelterbelts establishment

in the semi—arid zone of

the country.

The neem has been successful on many sites, and

prospects of production of

fuel wood and poles from

the shelterbelts are verv

bright as the neem has

shown great capacity for

copping under the prevailing environmental conditions.

25
Sheltter

The shelter belt schemes

have been welj received by

the local population although they are stiJl reluctant to give up land parmanently for the projects.

They claim 'that the beneficial affects of the shelterbelts are already evident

in their farms and dwellings. They admit observing

a decrease in the frequency

and intensity of sand storms

which damage young crops

early in the farming season.

They also claim that

farms protected by shelterbelts have increased yields.

This would be verified later

as the various aspects of

shelterbelts establishment

and function are now tihe

subject of research by the

Forestry-Research Institute

of_ Nigeria. The Federal

Government is co-operating

with the International Research Centre of Canada in

supporting the research projects..-.,-.

Also, preliminary research

results from the Forestry

Research Institute of Nigeria indicate bright prospects

for the, use of fast growing

eucalyptus for shelterbelts

establishment. The ameliorating effects of shelterbelts especially- on wind

velocity, in their vicinity

are also indicated from results already obtained.

One can thus see that

Nigeria is definitely making

a headway in arresting the

dangers of desertification

In addition to the aforementioned anti-desertification measures are other related long term projects.

These projects, in the

semi-arid zones, include the

rural development scheme,

River basin development

and development of pasture

- lands In the rural development schemes at Gusau,

S.okoto State Funtua. Ka-

; duna State and Gombe,

Bauchi State, farmers are

orovided with the necessary

inputs of modern farming,

fertilizers, and improved

seed. They are also taught

the basic technique of intensive land use and management.

The scheme Is designed

to teach farmers how to

imnrove their yield while

using the same piece of

land continuously thereby

! preventing and possibly cor-

| reeting soil degradation due

to imnrope!» land use.

Under the River basin

development nrogramme the

low lving basins of the ma

jor rivers and lakes in the

•co'iitrv would be developed.

Those proposed in the

semi-arid wee include the

Sokoto, Rima, Hadejia, and

Jamari river basins as well

; as the portion of the Lake

Chad basin within Nigeria.

Dams would be constructed

across the rivers to provide

large reservoirs of water for

fish farming and dry season

t irrigation farming; along the

river basins.

This measure would go a

Jong way to regulate the

water supply In the semiarid zone, an Important factor . in the anti-desertification war.

It could thus be seen

from the various government projects that though

desertification and its attention and its attending

evils stare Nigeria in the

face, we are poised for an

effective war against it.

CSO: 5000

26
NIGERIA

AFFORESTATION PROGRAM Bf SOKOTO STATE

President's Speech

Kaduna NEW NIGERIAN in English 18 Aug 78 pp 3, 7

/Speech by Head of State Lt. General Olusegun öbasanjo, on occasion of

launching of Arid Zone Afforestation Program in Nigeria, at Sokoto, 17

17 Aug 787

/Text/ We are gathered here today on this very important

occasion to witness the formal launching of the afforestation programme which

is designed to check the

encroachment of the Sahara

Desert on the northern parts

of our country. It is impera^

tive that this programme is

pursued with all seriousness

at all levels of government

as well as through individual

and community effort to

ensure its unqualified success. The consequences of

failure are too grim to contemplate.

The sub-Saharan drought of

the early 1970s and its effect

on the people of our continent

drew world attention to the

chronic problems of survival on

those occupying areas bordering

the Sahel as well as the general

development of areas on the

desert margins. Most alarming

was the apparently relentless

spread of deserts and for us, the

southward extension of the

Sahara in particular. The worldwide reaction to the phenomenon of desertification is reflected in several resolutions of the

United Nations praying the International Community to take

urgent and meaningful measures to combat the spread of

deserts especially in Africa

where so far not much has been

done to vitiate this serious

threat.

In Nigeria, as in other parts

of the world, the process of

desertification is a result of a

combination of several factors

some of which are natural and

completely beyond our control

while others, as we very well

know are the direct result of

human and animal interaction

with the environment.

An important factor, outside

our immediate control, in the

desertification process in the

Sahelian areas is the variable

rainfall from year to year. In

years of very low rainfall, there

is less growth of vegetable matter to support human and animal populations. General degradation of vegetation results in

desert conditions in areas formerly covered by vegetation.

When there are two or more

successive years of below average rainfall, the effects of the

droughts become even more disastrous resulting in extensive

crop failures and livestock mortality.

27
In serious cases, this leads to

migration and desertion of

homes by their owners. Among

the few examples of such calamity in living memory was the

recent 1972 drought that affected Nigeria among other West

African countries. Droughts are

natural phenomena which cons*

titute a major aspect of the

desertification process. But we

do also know that their harm

can. be mitigated greatly through a variety of means in land

consolidation through the correct land use, water control,

preservation of vegetation to

protect the soil, controlled grazing, etc, etc.

Desertification has also been

known to accompany a prolonged use of traditional farming

methods in the semi-arid areas

of our country. The results of

such methods often lead to complete removal of vegetation

from the soil surface as well

as burning of plant and other

organic matters on the farms

both before, during and after

harvests. Grains and plant stalks

are often burnt leaving the

ground bare and unprotected after the harvest. This

practice renders the sandy soils

1 very vulnerable to erosion by

wind and water making them

less capable of supporting crops

and other forms of vegetation.

Consequently, yields from the

farms decline rapidly over a

few years. Because of the semiarid nature of the environment,

the rate of soil improvement

through fallowing is very slow

and the pressure on land due

to population density and

growth makes fallowing impracticable. Thus farmers are ultimately forced to abandon the

locations for new sites where

the process of soil and landsscape degradation is repeated

all over. To this must also be

added the problem of overgrazing which occurs in the dry

season.

Apart from over-grazing of

the available pastures, branches

of evergreen trees are lopped

to provide fodder for livestock

during this season. This practice

results in further degeneration

of the already scanty vegetation

which characterises the semi-arid

areas. Quite often the herdsmen

intentionally set fires to the

grasses to stimulate growth of

dormant grass buds, as a means

of ensuring availability of fresh

green pastures. These fires,

which are mostly uncontrolled

further help to destroy existing

vegetation and interfere with

natural regeneration.

The dense population which

inhabits the semi-arid zone depends entirely on firewood as

fuel for cooking and heating

their homes during the cold

harmattan nights. The result is

that there is an intensive exploitation of the scanty vegetation

to meet the ever-increasing demand for firewood, and for

building purposes. Even roots

of plants are dug up in the

search for fuel wood, while

grasses are cut for roofing and

fencing.

The slow rate af tree growth

in this zone makes it impossible

for the regeneration of forest

vegetation to cope with the rate

and intensity of exploitation.

This has predictably led to a

decline in vegetation cover and

a general deterioration in environmental conditions.

Our total landmass seriously

threatened by the encroachment

of the Sahara desert stands today at approximately 125,000

square kilometers (about 12 per

cent of the total land area of

the country). In Sokoto State,

desert conditions now extend

for about 240 kilometers south

of the Nigerian border. This has

rendered about 17,000 square

kilometers of farmland almost

barren. Similar situations exist

in the extreme northern parts

of Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi and

Borno States. As you know,

most of our people live by farming and the loss of farmland is

therefore a very serious matter,

28
a matter of life and death.

It can be seen therefore, that

the scanty vegetation which

characterises the semi-arid

areas of Nigeria together with

the prevailing unfavourable

climatic conditions, the loose

fragile soils and the high population density, together provide

a rather favourable setting for

the various agencies of desertification.

The problem of desertification has long been with us, but

greater awareness was created

by the 1972 drought of which

we are all witnesses. Efforts to

combat the desertification commenced in Nigeria nearly thirty

years ago; organised tree planting campaigns and exercises

were reported in the early

1940s in Borno and Katsina

Provinces. In those provinces

alone, some 2,000,000 seedlings

were said to have been planted

over a short period of time. The

enthusiasm of those days has

not however been kept up

despite the occasional fillip individual and interested administrators gave the scheme.

Since 1958, Sheltervelts have

been established, principally

in Sokoto and Kano States,

whereby 1974, over 190 kilometers of belts had been established with over 48 kilometers of

roadside plantations completed

in Borno State. These were

achieved by the various states

through their appropriate

ministries and the local gcvernments. But the

seriousness of the problem has

now demanded a new approach

in the combined efforts of

everybody.

Thus, the Federal Department of Forestry has to date

established 16 nurseries, and

the number of shelterbelts

planted has gradually increased.

In 1976 alone, approximately

200 kilometers (600 Hectares)

of belts were planted, and over

three million seedlings raised

for distribution to farmers.

The Federal Department of

Forestry field offices have been

established in Sokoto, Kano,

Kaduna, Maiduguri and Bauchi

to improve the execution of

this project.

All that has so far been

achieved is no more than

scratching the problem on the

surface compared with the

magnitude of what is required

to arrest the situation. It has

long been realised that the solution to the problem of desertification in the Sahelian Zone

lies in the establishment or

restoration of vegetation cover

over the affected areas, and

that whatever strategy is adopted should from the start aim

at improving the living standards of the people. Therefore

in tackling the Sahelian problem in Nigeria, action programme based on forestry activities had in the past been directed at:-

(i) Establishing adequate

vegetation cover for purposes

of restoration and maintenance of solid fertility and improvement of the environment;

(ii) Meeting the needs of

the people in the locality in

wood for fuel and construction

purposes;

(iii) Protecting and developing pasture lands;

(iv) Support for agriculture;

(v) Protecting and rationally utilising wildlife.

But now, the forestry programme should not be seen as a

mere tree planting programme

to provide immediate needs of

the people but rather a development programme closely

integrated with other sectoral

programme, namely: The rainfed and irrigation development

programmes for agriculture,

the livestock and fishery programmes

To this end a National Com29
mitte on Arid Zone Afforestation has been set up by the Federal Military Government under the Chairmanship of a distinguished scholar, Dr. Ango

Abdullahi of the Institute of

Agricultural Research, Ahmadu

Bello University. It is proposed

that a State Afforestation Com-

, mittee in each of the affected

states consisting of professional

forestry officials and other experts will also be set up to

prosecute the programme on a

day to day basis. A unit of this

committee in each local government area of the affected states is also contemplated.

In this connection, the Fede

ral Military Government released a sum of 2 million Naira

towards the end of last financial

year to enable the project to

to take off. In the current financial year, the Federal Military Government has also voted money for the scheme to

supplement communal and

other efforts.

Since firewood is extensively

used by the people in the

affected states, I will once

again like to appeal for modernisation of our cooking habits so that we can move away

from using the traditional firewood to the use of hydro-carbon

products. In the development

of our oil industry, it is the I

intention, in the near future,

to provide not only gas but

kerosine in sufficient quantities for domestic use. As a matter of deliberate policy also,

encouragement steps are being

taken to increase existing capacity in the production and

manufacturing of kerosine stoves locally.

Therefore, in due course

when kerosine is produced in

large quantities from the new

refineries at Warri and Kadu-

. na and simple kerosine cookers become available at reasonable costs we should change

our cooking habits in order to

help to preserve plant life and

hence the vegetation of the

environment.

One other possibility being

considered is the use of coal,

under strict health conditions,

as alternative sources of fuel

to firewood, leaves and animal

dung. Deposits of coal are available in Enugu mines and other

areas and plans are on hand to

produce charcoal from the

woods and wood wastes in the

high forests of southern states,

particularly from the afforestation centres where large

hectarages of forest lands are

opened up each year.

While the problem of desertification is plaguing the northern parts of the country, other

critical cases of water erosion,

wind erosion and flood abound

in several parts of the country.

The hardest hit states include

Anambra, Imo, Oyo, Benue,

Plateau, Bendel, Lagos, Cross

River, Ogun and Rivers. Early

conservation programmes were

highly localised. The earliest

attempt being tree planting

programme in Awka Division

of Anambra State to check no*

torious gulley erosion. Other

programmes include mines and

reclamation on the Jos Plateau.

A mines land reclamation

unit which was set up fclso

achieved a degree of success

in establishing tree plantations

on the levelled mine-dumps on

the Jos Plateau. To date over

1,320 ha. of the. desolate landscape mounds in the state have

been reclaimed and planted up.

Imo, Anambra, Cross River,

and Rivers States respectively

have drawn up anti-erosion and

flood programmes which are

being "implemented. Many important watersheds in Nigeria,

most of which are within forest reserves,:have been protected

by the establishment of forest

plantations.

Early this year, a National

Committee on Soil Conservation was set up to deal with

the problems of soil conservation throughout the country including the problems of floods

and sitting and management of

catchment areas. An international team of experts has been

engaged to study soil erosion

in these states and measures to

be taken to combat this menace.

The destructive effect of forest fires cannot be over-emphasised. It is a matter for regret

that our people still indulge in

indiscriminate bush burning

in spite of repeated campaigns

pin-pointing the effects. Sometimes the fires spread into

adjacent forest plantations established at great expense.

We must take all possible measures through enlightenment

campaigns, appeal, etc. to abate this criminal act and wanton destruction. Federal Government, state government,

local government, traditional

rulers and community leaders

must all join in this crusade.

The Federal Military Govern^

ment is committed and determined to preserve and conserve our limited land heritage

for this generation and generations yet unborn.

I wish to seize this opportunity also to appeal to all the

citizens of this country particularly those living in the Sar

helian zone to augment government efforts by planting trees

as individuals, organisations,

communities, etc. We must all

participate in this programme.

Your active support in this matter is necessary to avert future

wood shortage in the country,

check further advance of the

desert, improve the environment and the quality of life

not only for ourselves but for

future generations as well.,

The Brigade Commander and

Military Administrator, the

Sultan, Emirs, Chairmen of

Local Government, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

may I invite everyone present

here to join me in planting a

tree each to mark this memorable occasion.

30
'The destructive effect of forest fires cannot be over-emphasised, it is a matter for

regret that our people

still indulge in indiscriminate bush burning in1 spite of repeated campaigns pin-pointing the

effects. Sometimes the

fires spread into adjacent forest plantations

established at great expense. We must take ail

possible measures

through enlightenment

campaigns, appeal, etc.

to abate this criminal

act and wanton destruction. Federal Government, state government,

local government, traditional rulers and community leaders must all

join in this crusade.

The Federal Military

Government is committed and determined to

preserve and conserve

our limited land heritage for this generation

and generations yet unborn.'

31
Tree Planting Compulsory

Kaduna NEW NIGERIAN in English 23 Aug 78 p 13

/Article by Mu'azu Alhaji, Sokoto/

/Text/

CSO: 5000

THE Gumi Local Government

Council has made it compulsory for

all adults in the area to plant trees

in andaround their compounds.

The orderwas given by the Chairman of the Gumi Local Government Council, Alhaji Aliyu Gumi,

during the launching ceremony of

treeplanting campaign in the area

last weekend. ,

Alhaji Aliyu saichthat the step

was taken in order to fight desert

encroachment' in the area and

called on all adults in the area to

take the new order seriously.

He said because farming was

the predominant occupation of the

people of the area, they could not

allow land in their area to be

taken over by the desert.

Meanwhile,, the Sokoto State

Government has taken further

steps to see that people planted

trees in and around their houses.

The state Ministry of Housing

and Environment has now irade it

compulsory for all occupants of its

houses to comply with the Secretary to the state Military Government's circular by planting trees

in the houses allocated to them.

Tenants in the bouses have been

advised to obtain seedlings' from

the state Ministry of Agriculture,

Forestry Division, to plant them in

their houses.

32
NIGERIA

BRIEFS

FUNDS FOR FOREST PLANTATIONS--The Plateau State Government attaches more

importance to the development of forestry in the state. To this end, the

state government has made a provision of Nl.7 million for the development

of its forestry and wildlife resources, which include large scale establishment of forest plantations and reclamation of mine dumps. According to the

state Chief Conservator of Forestry, Mr A. G. Musa, this provision would

also cater for production of wood for domestic purposes and future industrial

wood-raw-material and the establishment of game park and wildlife resorts.

Mr Musa was speaking at the graduation ceremony of the 1978 Ordinary Diploma

Course of Federal School of Forestry, Jos last weekend. The chief forestry

conservator said that he was pleased with the progress the Forestry Research

Institute had made in providing adequate facilities for the training of

forestry personnel to assist in the execution of forestry projects in the

country. [Article by Aboyomi Labisi] [Excerpt] [Ikeja THE PUNCH in English

5 Sep 78 p 2]

CSO: 5000

33
RHODESIA

COUNTRY TERMED LARGELY UNPOLLUTED

Salisbury THE HERALD in English 19 Aug 78 p 3

[Text] People at the managerial level of Rhodesian industries are almost

invariably aware of the dangers of pollution and are keen to establish the

highest possible standards of environmental conservation, the vice-principal

of the University of Rhodesia, Professor Geoffrey Bond, said in Salisbury

yesterday.

"What I have seen in many places in Rhodesia is very reassuring, but we have

no cause for complacency," he told Salisbury Central Rotarians, who had invited him to speak at their luncheon.

Professor Bond is also vice-chairman of the Natural Resources Board in the

Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and chairman of the board's Environmental Conservation Committee.

He said the committee was studying and collecting facts on the effects of

pesticides and herbicides, "subtle pollutants which can't be seen and can

have disastrous effects."

Pesticide

The best known pesticide, DDT, which takes up to 50 years to disintegrate,

"is fortunately not so great a problem here as it is in some countries."

He said the pollution of the atmosphere over Salisbury and Bulawayo may

look bad but is not as serious as it seems.

Recent studies in Rhodesia have revealed several metals originating from

industries in the air. "Again it is reassuring that research is being

done before pollution reaches the critical level."

Bad Spots

There are one or two bad spots in Rhodesia such as the Wankie collieries

and the steel works at Risco, but they still compare extremely well with

the same industries in England and the United States, he said.

34
"Rhodesia is largely unpolluted, but we want to ensure that this country

doesn't have to be retrieved, like some countries, from massive pollution.

"My committee has a long way to go, but at least it has made a reasonable

start."

CSO: 5000

35
SENEGAL

SOUMBEDIOUNE BAY PURIFICATION PROJECT STARTING IN OCTOBER

Dakar LE SOLEIL in French 1 Sep 78 p 3

[Article by Abdallah Faye]

[Text] The work of cleaning up Soumbedioune Bay will begin in the first

half of the month of October.

This is what we were told by Mr Amadou Diaw, head of the sanitary improvement department at the Ministry of Equipment, in the course of the

interview he granted us yesterday.

Currently the department personnel is devoting itself to administrative

problems. Moreover, the office responsible for supervision is already

functioning.

The project, which will begin in less than two months, is not of recent

date. It goes back to 1968, when at the request of the World Health

Organization, the advisory office authorized the NEDECO studies bureau to

draft a master plan for water supply and sanitary improvement for the

Cape Verde region.

From this master plan, the head of the sanitary improvements department

explained to us, the NEDECO derived an emergency sanitary improvement plan

which was approved by the Senegalese government in 1975. This emergency

plan emphasized the sanitary improvement of the west coast road sector above

all, i.e., the University beach and Soumbedioune Bay, a veritable dump

ground for waste water, in order to make it more suitable for the tourist

trade, which is developing from year to year.

How could this be done? The problem lies in intercepting the discharge

from the canals and sewers leading to these places in order to divert

sewage toward Hann Point, for discharge into the sea.

Why Hann Point? It is not a question of its popularity, according to

Mr Amadou Diaw, but solely for the reason that if these waters were discharged in the direction of Soumbedioune Bay, the tide would return them

36
to the beach, as is presently the case at University Beach, which has

become foul-smelling and unsuitable for swimming, and the germs contained

in these waters could affect the health of bathers.

After making a study of the tides, the technicians chose Hann Point, because

it was established that the waves along the coast here have a tendency to

move outward, and thus can carry sewage wastes out to sea.

Moreover, an outlet will be built such as to discharge the waters 350 meters

off the coastline. Thus there will be no risk of pollution, since the germs

will be destroyed by the effect of the salinity of the water.

In addition, plans call for reconstruction work on the Gueule Tapee outlet,

over a distance of about 100 meters, with a bridge straddling it.

Also to be built are two relay stations for pumping the water, needed for

the proper completion of the bay project, as well as a siphon and lift pipe

system, essential if the water is to continue along its course without

flowing, due to the slope visible at this point. It is precisely this

incline along the Gueule Tapee canal which causes stagnant waters, if indeed

the canal does not overflow, in the winter season, giving off foul odors.

Initially planned for the third EDF [European Development Fund] period (it

is this fund which is financing this project) to cost 1 billion 40 million

CFA francs, the program will not be undertaken until the fourth period,

with decreased financing, "as a result of a change effected in the priority

of Senegalese development projects," as the head of the sanitary development

department explained to us.

With a total of 1 billion 31 million francs, the authorities have had to

limit the work to be done and to carry out the work on the Gueule Tapee

canal, and thus prefinancing to cover it. Moreover, these studies have been

completed and the negotiations are in progress.

Following the Soumbedioune Bay purification project, the authorities in this

sector will undertake the sanitary improvement of Dakar and its environs.

This is an ambitious project which is to extend as far as Rufisque and

which will require financing of 10 billion. The studies have been completed

and the specifications for the solicitation of bids should be filed shortly.

This work is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of next year. The

African Development Bank is to participate to the extent of 1 billion

280 million, with Senegal providing counterpart funds of 1 billion 168 million.

But initially, the sanitary development authorities want to address themselves to the problems posed by the disposal of sewage water. This project

will require 4.5 billion.

37
This does not in any way imply that rainwater problems are being neglected,

since the work of rebuilding the Gueule Tapee and Front de Terre canals

addresses this problem too, and prefinancing prospects have already been

established.

On the other hand, the Hann Bay sanitary improvement project has already

reached the completion stage. It has cost 18 million 732 thousand francs.

"If all of these projects are carried out," Mr Amadou Diaw added, "Dakar

will have no further sanitary improvement problems."

5157

CSO: 5000

38
ZAMBIA

LACK OF FUNDS DELAYS INSTALLATION OF ANTIPOLLUTION EQUIPMENT

Lusaka SUNDAY TIMES OF ZAMBIA in English 3 Sep 78 p 1

rTpvf. -I VITAL equipment ordered by L J Chilanga Cement which

would have solved the pollution problem that has continued to disrupt experiments

at Mount Makulu research

station, has been lying idle

because the company has no

funds to instal it.

An Indeco spokesman disclosed this in Lusaka yesterday when he commented on

continued complaints by the

Ministry of Lands and Agriculture that air pollution had

put important work at the

research station in jeopardyActing director of agriculture, Mr Nicholas Mumba,

reported this week that crop

assessment at the station had

been abandoned because soil

had been polluted by dust

from Chilanga Cement factory's chimneys.

Mr Mumba said his ministry could not look for alternative land to move the

station which was established in 1964 because the transfer would post about K50

»million.

The Indeco spokesman said

Chillngj. ^Cement ordered

special Inters — technically

known as electrostat precipitators — to arrest the outflow of the dust from the factory because it was as

anxious as everybody else to

control pollution.

In fact, the outflow represented 5,000 tonnes of cement

every month, which could

usefully be converted to

money, he said.

CSO: 5000

39
USSR

POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES IN BELORUSSIA DISCUSSED

Minsk PROMYSHLENNOST' BELORUSII in Russian No 7, Jul 78 pp 80-81

[Article by A. Shalushkov, state inspector of the industrial region of the

Belorussian SSR: "The Plant 'Produces' ... Clouds of Smoke"]

[Text] The Belorussian regional state inspection team for gas purification

is the organization that deals with finding sources of harmful discharges

and controlling the organization of work for curtailing and eliminating

them, including the construction of gas purification installations. It also

exercises control over the operation of gas and dust removal installations

and the fulfillment by enterprises and organizations, regardless of their

departmental jurisdiction, of the decisions, instructions and orders concerning questions of protection of the surrounding air.

With the creation of the state insepction team for gas purification (1975) ,

certain strides were made in solving the problem we have touched upon.

While, for instance, in 1976 industrial enterprises of the republic constructed and reconstructed little more than 3 million rubles' worth of gas

purification and dust removal installations, in 1977 they constructed 9.8

million rubles' worth. Still, it should be noted that the level of pollution of the atmosphere in Minsk, Mogilev, Gomel', Novopolotsk and several

other cities of the republic is still fairly high (according to data of the

hydrometeorological service and sanitary and epidemiological stations).

The experience of the leading enterprises shows that, in order to successfully solve this important problem, it is necessary to implement a complex

of measures that takes into account the peculiarities of each industry.

Here, for example, is how the problem is being solved in the Mogilev

Khimvolokno Production Association imeni V. I. Lenin. During the last 2

years, the majority of the gas purification and dust removal installations

have been reconstructed here, a gas purification system for afterburning

of carbon bisulphide has been put into operation and the production of

carbon bisulphide has been stopped. A number of technological schemes that

provide for protection of the environment have been specially developed for

40
Mogilev industries by scientists of the Belorussian Technological Institute

imeni S. M. Kirov. In the future, at enterprises of the association installations will be constructed for purifying ventilation gases of carbon bisulphide and hydrogen sulphide. The quantity of harmful discharges has already

been reduced by 3 tons a day.

Specialists of the Grodno Azot Production Association are also showing a good

deal of concern for protection of the environment. They have constructed an

installation for catalytic purification of exhaust gases, which made it

possible to reduce discharges of nitrogen oxides by 5 tons a day. A special

scrubber has been installed on the line of outgoing gases with nitrine columns and cyclone furnaces that have units for purifying smoke. The implementation of these measures made it possible to significantly reduce the

gas content in the sanitary protection zone.

At the Minsk automotive plant, certain shops have introduced a system of

purifying gas discharges from drying equipment of paint shops, which was

developed by the collective of Special Design Bureau No 3. Now all harmful

substances are completely burned on the spot. Because of this, fuel and

electric power are saved and the fire and explosion danger of ventilation

systems is eliminated.

The scientific research laboratory for gas of the Belorussian Polytechnical

Institute has developed a system of two-stage purification and decontamination of gases for a number of plants. Its first section will be introduced

at the Pukhovichskiy and Mozyrskiy smelting-mechanics plants. The Minsk

automotive plant is already introducing an installation for the second stage

of purification. Its startup will make it possible to reduce dust discharges from cupola furnaces to sanitary norms.

In recent years a good deal has been done for the protection of nature at

the Gomel' chemical plant. Here, in particular, they have put into operation a sanitary gas purification installation which made it possible to

reduce discharges of sulphur anhydride to less than 20 percent of the former level. The reconstruction and modernization of systems of absorption

in shops for compound mixed fertilizers consisting of double superphosphate

and fluoride salts reduced the content of harmful substances in exhaust

gases to sanitary norms. In 1977 alone, as a result of the change in technology in the sulphuric acid shop, the use of floating cover in absorption

towers and the organization of control over the parameter of the operation

of the absorption columns reduced discharges into the atmosphere by 2.6 tons

a day.

Gas and dust purification installations of the "wet type" are more widespread in smelting. In the majority of cases they provide for purification

to the required sanitary norms when they are correctly operated. But there

are also cases where these installations are operated without water, like

ordinary dry purification equipment, or they are not operated at all, which

is utterly unforgivable.

41
This pertains, above all, to enterprises of the construction materials industry, machine tool building, and the wood processing and chemical industries.

Gas and dust purification installations operate inefficiently at the Grodno

construction materials combine, the Vitebsk lime materials combine, the

Mogilev combine for silicate items and the Automotive Plant imeni S. M.

Kirov, the Brest household chemical plant, the Minsk autocycle and the tractor and automotive plants. Certification of gas and dust removal installations is proceeding very slowly.

Many enterprises have not conducted certification of discharges into the

atmosphere. Moreover, the lack of specific data concerning the composition,

quantity and concentration of impurities in industrial discharges impedes

the selection of the most efficient systems for purifying discharged gases.

The solution to these and other problems will make it possible to reduce and,

in a number of cases, fully eliminate harmful discharges into the atmosphere.

COPYRIGHT: "Promyshlennost' Belorusii", 1978

11772

CSO: 5000

42
CYPRUS

LACK OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN STIRS CRITICISM

Nicosia BASIN in Turkish 20 Jul 78 p 4

[Text] I have seen thoughtless youths just leave the remains of what

they had eaten at the beach on the sand where citizens had stretched out

to sunbathe and cut up watermelon rind into tiny bits and then leap up

and toss it from where they sat into the sea as well as amidst those

sunbathing...

As emphasized recently in an article by my friend Ahsen Tolga, at the

same beach I have seen dogs cheek by jowl with people, thrust into the

sea by their thoughtless owners, and later dry by shaking themselves off

amidst the people on the sand...

I have seen people throw out buckets of sewage from the balconies of

their houses to the road below without even taking the trouble to look

and see if there were persons passing. I have seen lazy housewives

dangle their plastic trash bags, stinking like carrion, that they have

tied to a rope from the same balconies, so that the garbage collectors

can haul them down...

Particularly at night I have seen contemptible people urinate at the

foot of walls and on roads and vomit in front of everyone's house heedless of the fact that those passing can see them...

You are not going to believe that there are shameless people who prefer

to defecate in an open field near their house, in which construction

debris and rubble has been heaped, to the toilet with the excuse that

the weather is too hot and they would perspire within the enclosures,

that is to say they defecate in the open air. I have seen the likes of

these.

These are our people. The places they pollute are our places, our lands,

our seas. And the several examples we have given of their thoughtless

and contemptible behavior are but our observations. Who knows how many

other citizens there are in our villages and cities who do not care in

43
the slightest about cleanliness and health rules. It is possible to provide many more examples of the negative, backward attitude of persons

like these who cannot appreciate civilization and who frustrate the constructive initiatives both of officials who struggle constantly in the

fight for a clean environment and citizens with commonsense.

The predicament in our other cities is not much different. However, if

we consider our capital we encounter a preponderance of citizens who are

not demonstrating the necessary concern for a clean environment. On the

scheduled days on which our municipal trash trucks collect the garbage at

the houses, you cannot escape the unbearably foul smell of garbage everywhere, particularly from Nicosia's streets within the fortifications. In

spite of all our municipality's warnings, a great many blistered [sic]

citizens are still reluctant to keep their refuse in closed plastic drums.

Instead they put it in old rusted cans, buckets, and paper bags and stick

it in front of their houses. They haphazardly place their excess refuse

in sheets of newspaper which they throw into a nearby empty field or into

an abandoned, partially dilapidated old building.

If it is necessary to give an example we may use the old stone building

which has stood for years in this manner, partially dilapidated, in the

square of our city's Ayluka District. This place has been turned into a

total dump. Those doing construction work in the area dump part of their

debris here; those who do not want old, shabby, and unneeded articles in

their houses throw them here; trash cans here accumulate the overflow

from those which are full; those who must relieve themselves on the road

rush here. It is impossible to explain to one who has not experienced

it the stench of an exceedingly filthy, unbearable carcass. In spite of

all the warnings from time to time by area residents whose houses are

very near the press corps and the building and as a result of officials

not taking effective measures, this building for years has proved to be

a nest of filth which poses a serious threat to human health. At least

we could construct the building's doors and windows in stone as a simple

measure directed at eliminating this refuse dump which stands as a disgrace to our community before the eyes of foreigners who come to our

city, although their numbers are small. In addition we have not prevented irresponsible citizens who flaunt human health from entering.

At the start of the summer our municipality, with the aim of insuring

the necessary concern for a clean environment, made affirmative initiatives which were introduced by a number of slogans; however it cannot be

said that our municipality was completely successful in these efforts.

The reason for this: again the irresponsible behavior of irresponsible

citizens who cannot appreciate civilization. The number of citizens who

went into immediate action aroused by the slogan, "Citizen, clean up the

lawn in front of your house; let's get rid of it," which was printed

daily in our newspapers and announced on our radio, were so few that they

could be counted on the fingers of one hand. Most citizens saw a clean

environment as perhaps the last thing on their mind and were instead

44
motivated by the words, "Forget it; what an absurdity," did not even

clean up the filth in the gardens and yards in which they stroll let

alone the lawn in front of their houses.

No one heeded the signboards erected by our municipality on empty property

close to various inhabited areas outside the city. What a pity that there

is an increase in the number of citizens who pass by with a smile the

warning, "Dumping garbage, rubble, construction debris, etc. on this railway is strictly forbidden," and who openly ridicule those who warn about

environmental cleanliness. The banks of streams and empty fields are

impassable because of rubbish heaps.

We cannot conclude by enumerating examples of our apathy toward a clean

environment. Our capital still has a major problem which over the years

has defied all solution. This problem that the factories created by

flushing their waste into Kanli Dere has been the subject of our newspapers' reports for years. Although this issue has been much written

and talked about, there has been no solution whatsoever. There can certainly be no end to the distressed and troubled lives suffered by area

residents on account of the stench emanating from Kanli Dere. To appreciate how justified these citizens of ours are in their complaints which

have persisted for years, we must spend one night (and one night only)

in the house of one of these people; otherwise, we could not understand

how serious a major disturbance Kanli Dere has become for area residents.

One marvels how it is over the years that these area residents have not

lost their lives in an epidemic. There exist aquatic deposits like so

much filth, foul water and carrion on the stream bed which stretches

for kilometers...

The water purification facility at Gocmenkoy, which was expanded at a

cost of 20,000 Cypriot lira in order to solve the Kanli Dere problem,

has been of no use as we have emphasized in our past articles. While

purification facilities which have assorted breakdowns and which cannot

be operated profitably occasionally stand idle, Kanli Dere continues to

be polluted and spread foul odors on an ever broader scale.

The Nicosia Municipality, which has shown a special interest in this

important problem of our capital, decided to investigate the facility's

condition in a trip made recently to the Home Ministry for Local Administration. The good news was announced that a three-member sewage

system team which came from Ankara to Nicosia would determine through

careful investigation definitive means of solution and would submit a

report. It is our hope and fervent desire that a definitive solution

to this important problem of our capital be presented at the earliest

time and that an important step has been taken toward a clean environment .

In effect, it is an obvious fact that we are not giving the necessary

priority to environmental cleanliness. Despite irresponsible citizens

45
who race to pollute our villages and towns, the time has now come, indeed

it is passing by, for our municipalities, which have shouldered the largest share of the responsibility for a clean environment, to take active

measures. Since the requests and warnings that the necessary concern be

shown toward a clean environment have been fruitless, we believe that a

stringent control must be implemented and that offenders must be identified and punished. There is no other way. In order that we may attain

as soon as possible the level of civilized societies which a long time

ago solved their problems of environmental cleanliness and which are

presently conducting a campaign against a disturbance called "noise

pollution," officials must compile a guidebook whose maxim is, "The due

of those advised but who refuse to mend their ways is punishment."

As our newspaper goes to press the three-member team of sewage system

experts, which was sent by the Ministry for Local Administration at the

behest of the Nicosia Municipality, completed its probes of the

Gocmenkoy purification facility and prepared its preliminary report.

According to the preliminary report, in order to derive results from the

purification facility it must be in continuous operation. Therefore, it

was deemed indispensable that the required electromechanical parts and

personnel be provided. As is known, at present the facility frequently

breaks down, and due to the deficiency in spare parts, shuts down every

day at 1600 and all day Saturdays and Sundays.

9172

CSO: 5000

46
TURKEY

ISTANBUL POPULATION ESTIMATES, ATTENDANT PLANS PRESENTED

Istanbul MILLIYET in Turkish 18 Aug 78 p 11

[Text] The population of Istanbul will be 9 million or 12 million by 1995,

it was reported.

The "Greater Istanbul Plan Bureau" which was established by the Reconstruction and Housing Ministry has been at work for many years and completed its

first draft improvement plan in 1971. The target date for completion of

its planning efforts was set for the end of October 1978.

The following information has been released in connection with the bureau's

efforts?

The Istanbul metropolis is a city situated on the Kocaeli and Rumeli

Peninsulas and concentrated in the south on the shores of the Sea of Marmara, demonstrating a proclivity for development toward the Gebze and

Silivri Districts. With respect to population distribution, it is estimated

that 33 percent of those living in Istanbul within the next 20-year period

will be on the Anatolian side to the east and 67 percent will be on the

Rumeli side to the west. This city, which comprises the most important,

thriving settlement unit of the Marmara region, is at the same time a population center of considerable natural and historical import where the roads

and rail routes of the East and West and the sea routes of the Black Sea

and the Sea of Marmara cross.

While there were 3.886 million people living in the Istanbul metropolis

according to the 1975 census, this figure has now reached approximately

4.4 million. Estimates based on the trend of development of metropolitan

Istanbul are that the population will be 9 million to 12 million by 1995.

Significant public investment will therefore be required to support these

new neighborhoods in counterbalancing points of attraction in the eastern

Marmara region.

From the standpoint of providing sufficient low-cost housing areas for lowincome residents within the development of metropolitan Istanbul, the draft

improvement plan envisions providing 60-140 housing units by raising the

47
share of public investment in total housing investments to 31 percent during

the next 4th Five-Year Plan period. This would represent approximately a

five-fold increase in the public contribution to housing, housing credit,

and housing lots which is now approximately 7 percent of general housing

investments in Istanbul.

According to the 1976 industrial census of metropolitan Istanbul, 393,906

persons were working in approximately 2,500 industrial establishments, and

it is estimated that industrial employment in 1995 will be 604,400 persons.

The draft improvement plan which has been developed envisions decentralization of industrial establishments located on the Bosporus, the Golden

Horn, and the historic Istanbul peninsula which are destroying Istanbul's

valuable natural and historic features and which have a negative effect on

the environmental health of the city. Directing these establishments to

new organized industrial areas within and outside the metropolis is

envisioned.

Transportation Problem

A central authority is needed to provide an adequate level of organization

of the public in mass transit in Istanbul. The improvement plan efforts

envision the formation of an integrated transit system within a specific

heirarchy, without competition among the rail types of mass transit.

Metro System

With an eye to using the commuter line which operates in the southern part

of the city, running between Gebze in the east and Halkali in the west, to

provide uninterrupted international carriage, the improvement plan calls

for linking Sogutlucesme and Yenikapi with an underwater tunnel beneath the

Bosporus. Also among the decisions is a metro system to provide a mass

transit link-up of the historical peninsula and Beyoglu with the city,

which has a link in Yenikapi with the above mass transit rail system.

From the standpoint of revising the metropolitan area service organizations,

the Istanbul port, intercity bus terminals, service landings, markets, and

warehousing areas must be provided for through the relations between the

central and local public investment establishments.

8349

CS0: 5000

48
TURKEY

PLAN TO REQUIRE FACTORIES TO MOVE OUT OF ISTANBUL

Istanbul GUNAYDIN in Turkish 8 Jul 78 p 3

[Article by Alp Orcun]

[Text] Work places which generate environmental pollution, noise, and

transportation difficulties in the various sectors of Istanbul will be

moved out of the city within the next 5 years. All industrial, warehouse,

and transport facilities on the Bosporus and the Golden Horn and in the

area between Eminonu and Topkapi will be removed from the city.

Preparation of Plan Completed

Greater Istanbul Plan Bureau Chairman Kutlu Guzelsu pointed out that work

on the plan has been completed and that the present status of the plan was

found suitable by the government.

The Plan Bureau Chairman added that ridding the city of factories would

begin next year together with the Fourth Plan. Kutlu Guzelsu said that

with the plan they had prepared, they had resolved to make Istanbul a

habitable city, quiet, clean, and free of the confusion and disorder of

traffic. He said that the measures definitely would be taken.

According to the information Kutlu Guzelsu gave, the Greater Istanbul Plan

envisions moving outside the city work sites which are within the city that

cause air pollution, noise, and traffic jams. Implementation of the removal

of work places from the city will begin with priority to the work places on

the shores of the Bosporus and the Golden Horn and in the region known as

the "Historical Peninsula," which lies between Eminonu and Topkapi. Industrial, warehousing, and transport facilities located in this region will

be moved out of the city as soon as possible. In this connection, the

market in Eminonu and storehouses on Ebussut Avenue will definitely be

moved outside the city.

49
Recreation Camps Instead of Factories

The sites of the industrial, warehouse, and transport facilities to be

moved out of the city will be made into resort and recreation areas.

Kutlu Guzelsu said that in order for these work places to move out of the

city, they would be offered incentives in such matters as taxes and fees,

in addition to being shown sites in organized industrial areas to be built

outside the city. However, business owners who still have not left their

old locations at the end of the scheduled period will be penalized in such

ways as once again raising their taxes or collecting additional taxes and

holding their prices down.

1-EMlNÖNÜ

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The "Greater Istanbul Plan" envisages removal from the city of work places

which pollute the environment and disrupt traffic. Industrial, warehouse,

and transport facilities between Eminonu and Topkapi will definitely be

moved out of the city within 5 years. Gray areas on the map will be

cleared on work sites.

8349

CSO: 5000

50
TURKEY

BRIEFS

MARMARIS FOREST FIRE DAMAGE--Damages resulting from the recent Marmaris

forest fire have been estimated at 1.5 billion liras. The conflagration,

which began in the area of Hisaronu between Marmaris and Datca, was brought

under control after a long struggle. An inspection of the area damaged by

the fire has reportedly begun and initial reports indicate that 7,000

hectares of forest land were destroyed in the blaze. [Excerpts] [Istanbul

CUMHURIYET in Turkish 8 Aug 78 p 7]

CSO: 5000 END

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