A herd of Tiang is seen here, part of the millions of wildlife in South Sudan that hosts one of nature's most spectacular events: the Great Nile Migration, the largest land mammal migration on Earth. — Courtesy of Marcus Westberg
A new World Bank assessment on South Sudan’s renewable resources has found that the country’s fisheries, forestry, and wildlife can generate more than a billion US dollars annually from investments if properly managed.
The National Resource Review (NRR) report published Monday, said a modest improvement in the management of the fisheries sector and reducing postharvest losses could potentially generate tens of millions of dollars a year in added value for South Sudan.
Meanwhile, a restoration of the teak plantation industry could generate close to $1 million per year and 150 jobs per 1,000 hectares on average, and with a third of South Sudan’s potential for community forest management, the country could generate over $1 billion per year in sustainable revenue from nontimber forest products.
“I think we all know about some of South Sudan’s subsoil resources, oil, gold, but I think there’s also a lot of green gold out there on the surface here,” said Charles Undeland, World Bank Group Country Manager for South Sudan.
“These assets are huge, including the world’s largest wildlife migration and one of the world’s largest freshwater fisheries. They’re critically important for the planet, of course, but these natural resources are critically important for the people of South Sudan.”
Mr Undeland pointed out that South Sudan’s remarkable natural assets have the potential to deliver major development benefits for its people.
He added that managing these resources must be done wisely to maximize the benefits and ensure sustainability of these assets into the future.
“Community-based natural resources management and development of sustainable value chains offer important pathways to diversify away from dependence on oil while directly benefiting rural communities and supporting inclusive development in South Sudan.”
In the case of wildlife, the report highlighted that its restoration and management could benefit South Sudan by tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.
The report added with a well-managed harvesting of migratory antelope populations in the Boma-Badingilo-Jonglei landscape (BBJL) alone, the country could reap could a sustainable annual offtake valued at round $61 million.
Addressing the NRR report launch, Wildlife Minister Rezik Zechariah Hassan said his ministry and that of animal resources and fisheries play critical role in unleashing the country’s natural wealth.
“When we talk about wildlife, which South Sudan is endowed with, it’s unique and it’s first of its kind globally,” he said.
“We have committed ourselves several times, even though we have some minor hindrances here and there, but I think hopefully, 2025 will be the maximum commitment of the government for the welfare of the country.”
In June 2024, President Salva Kiir announced that South Sudan has the world’s largest land mammal migration following a survey conducted by African Parks – which estimated 5.8 million – about half the country’s population.
The Manager of the African Parks Network said South Sudan has the potential to become a global leader in wildlife conservation through the protection and preservation of its natural resources.
The flourishing wildlife is equally facing significant threats due to rising commercial poaching, exacerbated by hunger, the prevalence of weapons and weak law enforcement.
The wildlife conservation authorities have on multiple occasions, seized vehicles smuggling bushmeat and arresting suspected poachers.
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