Rainfall variability, and resulting water scarcity, can lead to conflict over access to water resources or pasture amongst people who rely on seasonal rain as a source of water consumption and for growing crops or raising livestock.

As water availability diminishes, intercommunal conflict over access to wells and riverbeds becomes more likely. Loss of pasture resources has a direct impact on local subsistence-based communities that lack other consistent sources of income. To cope with a drought season, pastoralists are often forced to sell their productive assets such as livestock, leaving them less able to cope with future climate shocks.

Women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities and chronic health conditions, and people from ethnic minorities typically have less rights over land and so need greater support to reduce land pressures.

Air pollution
Soil pollution
Water pollution
Deforestation
Desertification
Eutrophication
Climate change
Loss of biodiversity and ecosystems
Natural Resource Depletion
Soil erosion
Increased drought/flood
Soil contamination

Failure to reduce pressure on land will result in conflict over water resources and pasture. This can lead to further soil degradation or desertification.

Hot arid climates, competition over water resources, impacts of climate change, can all lead to conflict over access to water resources and grazing land.

This can lead to further soil degradation or desertification, and can ultimately drive substantial emigration from an area.

Explore opportunities to switch to alternative livelihoods that are not so closely dependent on water resources or pasture.

Look for opportunities to increase groundwater resources and soil fertility, such as fixation sites, zai pits, composting, rainwater harvesting, tree planting.

Look at options to zone land use and equitably share water and pasture resources.

Consider alternative needs and use of the land prior to commencing livelihood development and ensure that prospective livelihoods do not preclude alternative use of land or downstream resources. If existing government development or land use plans are available, consult them for guidance.

When there is competition over scarce natural resources, work with communities and local government on three key options.

Firstly look for opportunities to increase groundwater resources and soil fertility, such as fixation sites, zai pits, composting, rainwater harvesting, tree planting, or drilling deep wells to explore groundwater resources.

Secondly, explore opportunities to switch to alternative livelihoods that are not so closely dependent on water resources or pasture. Are there opportunities to develop and export electricity from solar or wind-based renewables?

The third option is to look at options to zone land use and equitably share water and pasture resources.

A local NGO working in Burkina Faso has reported how they have helped pastoralists and settled farmers settle their disputes over precious water resources through a variety of groundwater recharging initiatives, trickle irrigation, targetted use of compost for individual crops, and agreed to land zoning.

Number of alternative livelihoods developed that do not require significant land use

Prevention of environmental damage

Mitigation of environmental damage

Environmental enhancement

Time to assess land use needs and potential alternatives prior to commencing livelihood development.