Without synthesized information,identifying and devising mitigation measures for the critical threats to the sustainability of the water and related natural resources of the basin becomes a challenge.
As much as certain aspects of our environment such as topography do not change, most aspects of our physical environment change. As populations grow, effective planning for sustainable development requires dependable information about the trends in our changing environment.
In order to develop the Nile Basin resources to address urgent social and economic needs of the people while ensuring equity in sharing of the benefits, decision makers need evidence based information to enable them to make evidence based decisions.
As part of expanding the knowledge base, the NBI has developed a Water Resources Atlas for the Nile Basin to provide synthesized, interpreted information to the stakeholders and there by promote evidence based decision making.
The Nile Basin Water Resources Atlas provides a visual account of the status of the resources, present observed trends, vital statistics and the biophysical status of the basin.
The Atlas will inform the second Edition of the State of River Nile Basin Report and will provide a platform for viewing the spatial and temporal distribution of resources within the basin especially hot and hope spots and their environmental, economic and social significance.
By guiding and informing basin-wide planning, the Nile Basin Water Resources Atlas together with the State of
River Nile Basin Report will significantly contribute to achievement of the NBI goals of equitable benefit sharing and win-win outcomes, that are at the heart of cooperation on the Nile.
Approach
The Nile Water Resources Atlas was developed by a team of NBI staff in collaboration with experts from NBI member states (members of the Regional Working Group). Three consultants supported the development of illustrations with a professional firm taking care of the graphic design and editorial process. The data and statistics used have been validated and sometimes provided by representatives from each Member State.
Objectives
The primary objective of the Nile Basin Water Resources Atlas is to present factual information on water resources of the Nile Basin, its spatial and temporal distribution and uses. The Atlas makes extensive use of illustrations to present facts, characteristics and trends with respect to the water resources of the Nile Basin and serves as shared knowledge base on Nile.
