Sustainable Development of Mega Drainage Basins of the Eastern Desert of Egypt; Halaib–Shalatin as a Case Study Area

Abstract

This book chapter focuses on using effective tools of monitoring and management of natural resources, based on the integration of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) techniques with a field survey in surface and groundwater resources evaluation. It is anticipated to provide operational and effective systems of investigation, management and protection of the available natural resources, and improve the livelihood of the surrounding population. This work depends on the previous expertise and overwhelmed researches of the National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS) and addresses the key challenges for the sustainable development in this remote area. Sustainable water supply is vital for the development of communities in arid regions, such as that of the South Eastern Desert of Egypt. The economic importance of the area is enormous, besides the fact that it has long been a target zone for mineral resources excavation and mining. One of the challenges facing this arid area is the limited water resources needed for agricultural, industrial, mining, or domestic uses. Bedouin depend mainly on rainwater, which constitutes the main source feeding their hand-dug wells and fracture springs. Rainwater harvesting (RWH), as a historical and worldwide trend, could fulfill the gap of water scarcity in arid or semi-arid regions. This proposed work is to use the modern techniques of RS, geographic information systems (GIS), and watershed modeling systems (WMS) to provide a plan for the RWH. RWH is the accumulation and storage of rainwater for reuse before it reaches the aquifer system (Groundwater). Multi-spectral remote sensing (MSRS) and geographic information systems (GIS) are vital tools to optimize the surface water usage of episodic rainfalls, where the concept of runoff water harvesting (RWH) in promising watersheds should be applied. (Elewa et al. in Am J Environ Sci 8:42–55, 2016). GIS and digital elevation models (DEM) enable the development of hydrological models to investigate every ancient terraced field in a non-invasive manner, without disturbing the archaeological remains (Bruins et al. in J Environ 166:91–107, 2019). The RWH could be used also for maximizing the recharge possibilities of groundwater. As a non-conventional water resource, RWH could provide water for gardens, livestock, irrigation, mining, cleaning of bathrooms as in the first flush, etc. In many places with similar climate conditions, the collected water is redirected to a deep pit with percolation to recharge the groundwater for later use and protection, especially in structurally controlled groundwater accumulations. The harvested water could be used as drinking water, if the storage is a tank that can be accessed and cleaned when needed. The work recommendations will be a good source for the up-to-date databases, which could be used effectively by the decision-makers, researchers, executive authorities, planners, and related governorates. The objective of this book chapter is to assess the South Eastern Desert of Egypt for the RWH capabilities, with the determination of their optimum methods and techniques. The overall goal is to assist in poverty alleviation, Bedouin and urban allocation, supporting animal husbandry, accelerating agricultural development, improved agricultural and food production for local inhabitants, combating desertification, resolving unemployment problems, and raising individual incomes. Bedouin and natives as the main end users will be a major target of the work. Innovative ways to improve the capture, storage, and use of rainwater will have their own bearing on the sustainable and profitable production of dry season vegetable crops in South Eastern Desert. According to the worldwide trends and techniques in RWH, which is applied aggressively in many neighboring countries, Egypt should enter the era of catching every water droplet for domestic and agricultural development. The results of the present research work could establish a good example to be applied in other parts of the country as well as worldwide.