What are the characteristics of economic development on the edge of the Sahara Desert in Kanu? How to protect the local ecological environment?
First, the geographical location and topography of Kanu
1. Location
Located in northern Nigeria, bordering Niger to the north and northeast, and Bellao and Zamfara provinces to the south and southeast, Kanu is located on the edge of the Sahara Desert in Nigeria, nestled between the Niger River and the Bellao Basin.
2. Topography and landforms
The topography of Kanu is dominated by grasslands and semi-deserts on the edge of the Sahara Desert, and the terrain is relatively flat, generally below 300 meters above sea level. The topography of the area is mainly divided into the following parts:
(1) Desert landform: The northeast and north of Kanu are the edge of the Sahara Desert, and the landform is mainly desert, barren and dry, and the ecological environment is very harsh.
(2) Plain landforms: The central and southern regions of Kanu are part of the northern plains of Nigeria, and the landforms are dominated by low hills, grasslands and shrublands, suitable for the development of agriculture and animal husbandry.
(3) Mountainous landforms: The western and southern western regions of Kanu are part of the Nigerian Plateau, and the landforms are dominated by mountains and plateaus, with the highest peak being Mount Coca with an altitude of 1143 meters.
Natural resources on the edge of the Sahara Desert in Kanu
The mineral resources of the Kanu region mainly include copper, iron, gold, silver, zinc, tin and aluminum. Among them, the aluminum ore reserves are large, there are many aluminum processing plants in Kanu and the surrounding cities and villages, and there are some mineral water resources in the Kanu area, including wheat stem mineral water and Zaria mineral water.
The Kanu region's water resources come mainly from the Niger River and local reservoirs such as Lake Tata, Lake Kanu and the Gabri Reservoir, which provide the necessary water for agriculture, livestock and industry, and the Niger River is also a major transportation route for the region, which is conducive to the local economic development.
The Kanu region is rich in biodiversity, including a variety of wildlife and plants. Local wildlife mainly includes giraffes, desert foxes, leopards, lions, elephants, etc., and local plants include various shrubs, grasslands and trees, which provide rich resources for local ecotourism.
Socio-economic development on the edge of the Sahara Desert in Kanu
The population of Kanu region is showing a rapid growth trend, with a total population of more than 4 million people as of 2021, the main ethnic groups include Hausa, Mba, Fulani and Igbo, the official languages are English and Hausa, and the majority of the residents practice Islam.
The economy of Kanu area is mainly based on agriculture, animal husbandry and mineral resources development, local industry and service industry is also developing rapidly, the main local crops include wheat, corn, cotton, peanuts, etc., animal husbandry is mainly cattle, sheep, camels, etc., the main local mineral resources include aluminum, copper, zinc, tin, etc., the local manufacturing, construction industry and financial services industry are also developing rapidly.
With the rapid economic development, the urbanization process of Kanu area is also accelerating, urbanization has brought more employment opportunities and investment opportunities, attracted a large number of foreign population to the area, urbanization has also brought great pressure on the local environment and resources.
The educational and cultural development of the Kanu region is also gradually improving. There are many universities and higher education institutions in the area, such as Kano University, Mohamed Buhario University, etc., and the cultural heritage of the Kanu region is also very rich, such as the first museum in Nigeria - the Kabang State Museum, Islamic Education Institutions, etc., which provide rich resources for the local tourism industry.
Biodiversity and ecological protection of the Sahara Desert margin in Kanu
The Kanu region is rich in biodiversity, including a variety of wildlife and plants, mainly giraffes, desert foxes, leopards, lions, elephants, etc., as well as a variety of birds, reptiles and invertebrates, and local flora includes various shrubs, grasslands and trees, some of which have important economic and cultural value locally.
Strengthen the management and protection of water resources and encourage water conservation and sustainable use of water resources; Promote energy-saving, emission-reduction and environmental protection technologies to reduce the impact of air pollution and climate change; Implement forest protection and grassland restoration programs to protect and restore local vegetation; Strictly control illegal fishing and trade of wild animals and plants, and protect local biodiversity and ecological balance; Advocate sustainable tourism and eco-tourism to promote the common development of the local economy and environment.
V. The author's point of view
The issue of biodiversity and ecological protection in the Kanu region is very important, and the government and local people need to take active measures to protect the local ecological environment and achieve sustainable development and common prosperity.
Bibliography:
WANG Zhiguo. Research on urbanization development and land use evolution in Kanu, Nigeria[J].Land Resources Science and Technology Management, 2017(2): 130-135.)
FAN Zhijun, XU Lili. Environmental Science and Technology, 2017, 40(10): 83-87.)
Ibrahim A, Kolo I J, Omar I A, et al. Dynamic assessment of land use land cover in Kano State, Nigeria based on remote sensing and GIS technology[J].International Journal of Geomatics and Geosciences, 2019, 9(1): 13-25.)
Yunusa I, Mukhtar "Assessment of environmental pollution status in Kanocharawa industrial zone, Nigeria"[J].International Environmental Science and Technology, 2017, 14(6): 1239-1248.)
