The World Bank's Prescription for Tunisia's Oases... Crisis Management or Dependency Management?!
In a recent report prepared in partnership with Tunisian research institutions, the World Bank warned of serious risks threatening Tunisia's oases as a result of the overexploitation of groundwater, climate change, and weak governance. The report highlighted the environmental and economic importance of these oases as "natural jewels" and "reservoirs of biodiversity." It revealed an increase in cultivated areas in the oases from 17,500 hectares in 1992 to more than 51,000 hectares today, thanks to the expansion of deep water extraction.