Effect of Intensive Grazing Around Water Points on Range Condition

Since 1960's there was a non stopping campaign for providing drinking water for both humans and livestock throughout Kordofan and Darfur. The permanent water sources established by the government and international donors have limited accompanied by range inventory to decide whether stocking densities at areas suggested for establishment of new bore holes or hafirs were appropriate. The newly created situation led to overstocking which have resulted the following: 1- Drastic change in range plants composition, carrying capacity, frequency of species and their density. 2- Enhanced desert encroachment. 3- Conflicts among nomads and between nomads and farmer. 4- Displacement of some nomads groups and their integration into urban life. As a result of intensive development and uneven distribution of water sources within low rainfall savannah zone (Western Kordofan State) pressure have been excreted on the fragile ecology of the zone. These pressures should have led to changes in range plants composition, plants frequency, density of species and carrying capacities. All these changes that are observed have never been assessed.