Description of impact
With rapid variations due to climate change, the issue of sand encroachment and its negative socioeconomic effect on roads is becoming an increasing problem on highways’ infrastructures and urban areas in Kuwait. Over the past decades, this has manifested itself as an acute problem consuming extensive resources. It is projected that these conditions will be further exacerbated by land degradation and climate change attributed to anthropogenic activities, and natural environmental conditions due to Kuwait’s arid geographical location.This White Paper summarizes the results of relevant research to guide the national efforts towards mitigating the impact of sand encroachment. It is prepared for the decision-makers to inform them of the issue at hand. The paper provides short-term solutions, mid-term urban planning recommendations, as well as a framework for long-term measures to protect the natural ecosystem services and resources. The implementation of these suggestions, while reducing the impact of sand encroachments on roads and infrastructure, will help the state of Kuwait in meeting some of its international obligations towards the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
The following recommendations are ordered based on the ease of implementing the suggested measures, and with an aim to achieve immediate impact:
1. Enforce current protection and grazing laws as mandated by PAAF and KEPA’s environmental law 42/2014.
2. Coordinate a native species planting campaign, utilizing terrace cultivation method on the most impacted highways, roads and infrastructures to reduce negative socioeconomic effects.
3. Develop integrated framework including the relevant ministries and authorities that are responsible for the affected highway planning and construction.
4. Identify major corridors of sand encroachment and define landowners to apply land use solutions to reduce the phenomenon (e.g. farming or entertainment venues).
5. Change the sand removal contracts from a tender-based system to an auction-based system to promote the sustainable repurposing of encroached sand.
6. Develop a comprehensive evidence-based land-use action plan to mitigate and combat sand encroachment and rehabilitate the natural ecosystem.
| Impact date | Jun 2024 |
|---|---|
| Category of impact | Public policy impacts |
Category of impact
- KFAS White Papers