Ross
5th December 2010, 22:52
I posted this on another thread as a side topic...off topic actually...I should know better:p
Yemen, Gulf of Aden, population, just under 24 million, will, within a decade or thereabouts, run out of water.
They have all but exhausted their deep water wells and continue to drain them at a catastrophic rate....mostly due the introduction of 'commercial' growing of 'GAT' a chewable leaf that gives a euphoric/alert, yet relaxed high.
http://www.greenprophet.com/2009/08/yemen-environment-gat-qat-drug/
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61G21P20100217
Farmers were growing grapes and other crops, mostly, but GAT (Khat, Qat) proved to yeild a much higher price and sadly, with a high price to pay in the future (no water). GAT trees require an enormous amount of water to grow, one of the thirstiest plants known.
Also, one of the more serious issues related to the 'chewing of GAT' (side effect) is the huge amount of water the chewer's require, further compounding the water issue.
Qat also eats into family budgets, aggravating poverty and leading to under-nutrition of children and others, experts say.
"Qat is the culprit," said Sahooly, at the Sanaa water authority office where he works as an adviser. "It is a dangerous crop that will lead us to disaster."
Government policies are also to blame. Diesel subsidies, due to cost the state $2 billion this year, indirectly encourage qat farmers, or well-owners like Tawwa, to pump more water.
24 million people, soon to be without water and seriously addicted to GAT will, without doubt, bring more issues to the Middle East. This has the potential to bring about civil war if not war in the outlaying region.
Ross.
Yemen, Gulf of Aden, population, just under 24 million, will, within a decade or thereabouts, run out of water.
They have all but exhausted their deep water wells and continue to drain them at a catastrophic rate....mostly due the introduction of 'commercial' growing of 'GAT' a chewable leaf that gives a euphoric/alert, yet relaxed high.
http://www.greenprophet.com/2009/08/yemen-environment-gat-qat-drug/
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61G21P20100217
Farmers were growing grapes and other crops, mostly, but GAT (Khat, Qat) proved to yeild a much higher price and sadly, with a high price to pay in the future (no water). GAT trees require an enormous amount of water to grow, one of the thirstiest plants known.
Also, one of the more serious issues related to the 'chewing of GAT' (side effect) is the huge amount of water the chewer's require, further compounding the water issue.
Qat also eats into family budgets, aggravating poverty and leading to under-nutrition of children and others, experts say.
"Qat is the culprit," said Sahooly, at the Sanaa water authority office where he works as an adviser. "It is a dangerous crop that will lead us to disaster."
Government policies are also to blame. Diesel subsidies, due to cost the state $2 billion this year, indirectly encourage qat farmers, or well-owners like Tawwa, to pump more water.
24 million people, soon to be without water and seriously addicted to GAT will, without doubt, bring more issues to the Middle East. This has the potential to bring about civil war if not war in the outlaying region.
Ross.