Weight of transformations and major drifts related to major river water projects in Africa : case of the manantali dam on the Senegal river basin

Abstract

This article deals with the weight of major developments or hydroelectric works in the development of the Senegal River Basin. He is interested in the positive and negative consequences resulting from the installation of the Manantali dam. This dam is the only major dam in the world that is declared a joint dam, financed, operated and jointly managed. The methodology is based on the collection of information from secondary sources and available statistics (books and Internet). Thus, it required dialogue and consultation between Senegal, Mali and Mauritania, through the Organization for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS). However, it has long since been built into controversy even before its construction began in 1982 and it was flooded in 1988. The results show that: first, the benefits of Manantali Dam are flood prevention and surface water availability, power generation, navigation, aquaculture, ecological protection, development-based restocking, food self-sufficiency, water transfer and supply in neighboring countries, irrigation, etc ; on the other hand, the disadvantages of dam are the impacts on environment (waterborne diseases and proliferation of aquatic plants), the effect on local culture and traditional economy, the sedimentation, etc. From the point of view of the impacts the Manantali Dam shows proof that there are more advantages than disadvantages. Thus, it could well be compatible with an ethic of sustainable development and the preservation of ecological balances. Keywords: Manantali dam, environmental impact, flood prevention, electricity production, ecological protection