In Abu Hamad, alongside the Nile, the lush gardens and farms that once produced abundant dates, citrus fruits, and winter grains have taken on a completely different appearance. Lands that should be rich in food products for the eastern cities of Sudan, including Khartoum and Port Sudan, have now turned into ruins of commercial buildings and hazardous waste.
Pollution and Health Hazards
Since the beginning of 2008, gold mining activities have increased exponentially, turning into a serious crisis over the past six years. More than 700 gray hills around Abu Hamad have injected toxins from these mining activities into the soil, water, and even the air. These pollutants are not only dangerous to the environment but have also become a threat to public health.
Local people have not only been deprived of access to fertile lands and clean water resources, but they are also facing the consequences of this pollution, including increased respiratory and skin diseases. Farmers who once engaged in agriculture are now confronted with new challenges that threaten their lives and livelihoods.
An Uncertain Future
With this trend continuing, the future of agriculture in Sudan will be severely affected. Can this land return to its period of prosperity, or must we witness its complete destruction? This is a question that only time will answer, but the reality is that the public health crisis and the destruction of fertile lands pose a serious threat to the people and the future of the country.
