Water shortage: in Tunisia, the oasis of Tozeur is in danger

It is a historic place that is threatened in Tunisia. The oasis of Tozeur is a place that has existed for 4,000 years. Drought is the cause of a possible disappearance and some natural water sources have now disappeared. “There were over 100 natural springs. (…) This site which represented the identity of Tozeur, now, we see here the drought, the aridity”, saddens Yassine Barranigeographer. The thick river present at the time gave way to a tiny trickle of water.

To cope with a worsening drought and a growing water shortage, the immense palm forest is watered by pumping from the subsoil. Many farmers have also chosen to build a well in their garden, thus putting a strain on the water table. The inhabitants who live from the cultivation of dates are obliged to pay attention to the water reserves which are greatly diminishing. The other financial windfall of Tozeur, tourism, is also a big consumer of water, with hotel swimming pools for example.