For centuries, Chinguetti has drawn scholars and theologians, its libraries holding thousands of ancient manuscripts on Islamic law, astronomy, and medicine – testaments to its golden age as a hub of trans-Saharan trade.
But this UNESCO World Heritage site, once a beacon of knowledge, now faces a relentless threat: the encroaching Sahara Desert. Shifting sands have already swallowed parts of the 8th-century core, and now creep into homes and businesses on the city’s edge.
As the world warms, the Sahara expands. Research shows the desert is growing at an unprecedented rate, with “sand seas” reactivated by changing wind patterns. In Mauritania, where less than 1% of the land is farmable and climate change impacts are among the worst in Africa, Chinguetti’s plight offers a stark glimpse into the future many fear. Average temperatures in the Sahel have risen significantly in recent decades, rainfall has become erratic, and desertification is accelerating.
Melainine Med El Wely, a community leader, describes it as a slow-motion natural disaster. “It’s a city surrounded by an ocean of sand advancing every minute,” he says. He recalls a time when houses stood where now only sand exists, a testament to the relentless advance. Families are forced to abandon their ancestral homes, joining the growing number of climate refugees. This displacement not only robs them of their livelihoods but also erodes the social fabric of the community and threatens the preservation of Chinguetti’s unique cultural heritage.
While tree-planting projects offer some hope, they are not a silver bullet. Experts are also exploring other adaptation strategies, including improved water management techniques and diversification of local economies. International aid organizations are working with the Mauritanian government to develop more sustainable solutions, but the scale of the challenge is immense. The world must recognize that the fight to save Chinguetti is not just a local issue, but a global one, a symbol of the devastating consequences of climate change and the urgent need for action.”
By adding these details, the article becomes even more powerful and informative, providing a richer understanding of the complex challenges facing Chinguetti and its people.