Impact of Refugees on Forest Cover,Gedaref State Eastern Sudan

Gedaref State is an important area for Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees, because of proximity and availability of security and natural resources. The influx of refugees was high during the previous forty years. The number of refugees at Gedaref State reached approximately 36000 persons. The study area was consisted of three camps: Um Rakuba in El Galabat province, Um Gargur in Seitait province and El Tinedba camp at El Rahad province. The objectives of the study were to assess the impact of refugees on forest- tree cover at the settlement areas and to investigate the impact on the other natural resources, so as to formulate recommendations that will help to recover the deforested areas This research is showing that, there is a grading deterioration in forest- tree cover. Wildlife and non-wood forest products were not observed. The negative effect of refugees will increase more than before, because there are extra numbers of refugees resettled in Um Gargur. Urgent remedy measures followed by serious positive decision should be taken to recover the affected areas by planting trees and protecting them from cutting in order to stop deterioration and improve the degraded areas.