Darfur Orders Dynamic Land Database

A Natural Resources and Land Use Database and Map for the whole of Darfu is to be set up under a contract awarded to GAF (Germany) by the Darfur Land Commission (DLC, Sudan. The overall objective is the establishment of a multi-layered and dynamic natural-resources information system that provides basic land-management and planning information to enable decision-makers to develop and manage Darfur’s natural resources in a sustainable way.

The Natural Resources and Land Use Database and Map for Darfur Project aims to increase the government's long-term institutional and technical capacity to manage Darfur’s natural resources, including agricultural land, natural areas, forests, minerals, water, cities, towns and villages. This will establish a basis for poverty reduction and also rural economic renewal in selected areas of the country, via the development of non-farm and farm income, thereby improving the social and economic welfare of the community and promoting a better environment.

This database will help decision makers and planners to establish plans for agricultural development and other land livelihood initiatives and to select the potentially most productive areas for investment and development projects. With a comprehensive capacity building component, the project will also enable the key rural and urban development and planning institutions to perform their tasks efficiently.

The DLC was established on 13th July 2007, as an integral part of the Transitional Darfur Regional Authority (TDRA), in order to address traditional and historical issues of land tenure and to review natural resources management.