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Controlling shifting sands in Kuwait:
an approach for sustainable development
Professor Doctor Raafat Misak, Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research;
Member of the National Committee for Combating Desertification at the Kuwait Environment Public Authority
K uwait covers about 17,800 km2 and consists of
two main ecosystems: the terrestrial (about 85
per cent) and the coastal and marine ecosystem
(15 per cent). The harsh environmental conditions of
Kuwait (including prolonged drought), as well as land
degradation, are major impediments for the real devel-
opment of its terrestrial ecosystem. These two major
elements represent serious threat to national economy
and quality of life.
The main challenges facing sustainable land management
(SLM) in Kuwait are:
• reversing the various processes of land degradation and
land misuse through serious and sustainable measures
• managing drought through long-term monitoring,
forecasting and preparedness
• managing the hazards of shifting sands
• modification of the national Greenery Plan (1995-2015)
to cover desert areas
• setting up sustainable land use plans considering
environmentally sensitive areas
• establishment and implementation of the National
Action Plan for combating land degradation (Article 10
of UCCD).
The rainfall in Kuwait is scanty and irregular and the
rainy season extends between October and April. The
average annual rainfall is about 110 mm. During the last
40 years, Kuwait experienced a number of dry seasons
with below-average rainfall. These include: 1963/1964
total rainfall); 1972/1973 (39.7 mm total rain-
fall), 1988/1989 (31.6 mm total rainfall) and 1993/1994
(28.3 mm total rainfall). In addition to dry seasons, Kuwait
experienced drought periods lasting more than three
seasons, for example 1962-1967 (28.1-87.7 mm of rainfall)
and 1987-1990 (31.6-84 mm of rainfall). During the last
eight years (2007-2015), Kuwait has experienced a long
period of drought.
A map showing highways under threat from shifting
sands: red arrows indicate prevailing winds, dotted
lines indicate proposed mobile sand control systems
An image of Kuwait showing the locations of the
proposed mobile sand control system
Source: National Committee for Combating Desertification in
Kuwait (Kuwait National Focal Point, KEPA, 2015)
Source: National Committee for Combating Desertification in
Kuwait (Kuwait National Focal Point, KEPA, 2015)
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