"The river is the chief source of water for irrigation in Mali," according to Agatam Agalassam, director general of the agency for the river Niger basin.

Unfortunately, he added, "large quantities of industrial, hospital and domestic waste are being dumped in it and are dangerously compromising its future."

The river Niger, the third longest in Africa at 4,200 kilometresmiles) long, rises in Guinea and makes its way east and north before turning south to reach the sea. For 1,750 kilometres (1,100 miles) it flows through Mali, where it is called the Djoliba, and links the wet zones of the south with its northern desert region.

Official figures say that a substantial part of the 2,000 cubic metres of household waste and 2,200 cubic metres of sewage produced each day in the capital Bamako end up in the river.

"Flora, fauna and the ecosystem are suffering badly from this pollution," Agalassam says.

Pollution is not the only problem: the river is threatened by silt, the consequence of periodic drought, insufficient rainfall and other inadequate sources of water.

"We see in particular the increasing appearance of sandbanks in the main stream of the river, the drying up of lakes, damage to vegetation and falling numbers of some animal species," said Alain Gerbe, a special advisor at the environment ministry.

The example most frequently given to illustrate the silting up of the river is that of the quiet village of Djagarabe, in the Mopti region about 600 kilometres (375 miles) north of Bamako.

Half of it has today vanished as a result of silting up and erosion, and a mosque has been "swallowed up".

According to Gerbe the authorities are determined to fight back and plans to counter the threats are being introduced.

The decision to halt using the Niger as an open-air sewer has already been taken. Light industry that pollutes the river has been told to halt its activities and tha main drains of the city are being cleaned.

Other steps include rubbish collections and the creation of "secure" discharges on the two banks of the river.

Measures are also being taken to bring a water treatment plant into operation and plans have been drawn up to combat silting-up.

"We have a plan for treating the banks of the Niger and for stabilising the course of the river," said Agatam.

"It is more than a duty to save this river, which carries on its waters the culture of Mali."

TERRA.WIRE