Effets de l’exploitation pétrolière sur l’environnement physique de Doba au Tchad

Abstract

The Doba territory in Chad is a typical example of regions across the globe where extractive industry activities greatly affect the physical environment. This study was carried out with the aim of highlighting the effects of this activity on the physical environment. To carry out this research, we adopted the hypothetico-deductive approach. The data came from two sources, one from primary sources and the other from secondary sources. The first came from our field observations, focus groups, interviews and the administration of questionnaires. On the other hand, the latter are the fruit of our reading of books, journals, reports, dissertations and theses in several libraries (that of the Department of Geography, FALSH, CEFOD) and research on the internet. The topographic map of Chad and Doba served as a basis for producing all the maps after downloading satellite images. The data was processed using SPSS software, GIS and mapping software including NIR and QGIS. In this study, the oil industry was identified as an additional activity to those of the primary sector already predominant in Doba. The quest for diversification of economic activities to improve the quality of life affects the physical environment. Added to the establishment of this already very demanding activity is a strong migratory movement towards Doba and exponential demographic growth giving rise to strong pressures on the physical environment and its resources. The sum of the effects of all activities shows a dynamic that is sometimes increase and sometimes decrease over the years. The results reveal that the plant cover decreased from 22968.97 ha in 2002 to 17944.15 ha in 2013 and increased to 18895.04 ha in 2023, a reduction of -22% between 2002 and 2013 and a slight increase of +4% between 2013-2023; the water cover increased from 364.61 ha in 2002; at 555.93 ha in 2013, an increase of 152%, and at 2724.38 ha, the built-up area rose from 364.61 ha in 2002 to 1219.69 ha in 2023, that is to say. +335%; bare soils from 11994.09 ha in 2002 to 4096.59 ha in 2023, i.e. - 65%. The results also show effects like the loss of biodiversity, erosion of soil, pollutions. Faced with these environmental effects, mitigation measures are implemented with the aim of preserving the resources of the physical environment. Added to these measures is the practice of agroforestry.