Rain deficit in Bizerte forecast to hit 30% to 40% by 2070 ( study)

The rainfall deficiency in Bizerte is forecast to hit 30% to 40% by 2070, a study on the assessment of risks in relation to the impact of climate change on the lakes of Bizerte and Ichkeul. The study was presented Tuesday in Tunis during the 13th meeting of the EcoPact programme steering committee. The study, which is intended to outline the strategic adaptation guidelines of this ecosystem, sheds light on the major threats facing Lake Bizerte, mainly pollution, human activities and climate change (higher temperatures and rain deficit). These threats are likely to impct griculture and aquaculture agriculture considering the rising sea level, said Head of the National Programme for the Pollution Cleanup of Lake Bizerte (EcoPact) Management by Objectives Unit Dhekra Gharbi. Coastline eroding and increased salinity of coastal waters will be observed over the next few years. The lake of Ichkeul, Menzel Bourguiba, Menzel Jemil and the lake of Joumine are the most exposed, she added. The official said a strat egic sustainable development of Lake Bizerte had been developed by civil society. EcoPact running until 2026, Minister of Environment Leila Chikhaoui said, will help fight pollution. Several depollution programmes had been devised. Related funding and activities require time, she said. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse