Fuelwood Resources in Wadi Allaqi: Social, Economic and Ecological Aspects

This paper summarizes observations relating to patterns of fuelwood use and availability in the Wadi Allaqi area. Specific fieldwork for this report commenced in December 1992 and has continued on an intermittent basis since then. The report also draws upon the findings of the Glasgow group and the Wadi Allaqi research team. Qualitative, particularly participant observation, questionnaire (open ended and survey), and distribution groups were the main methods employed. Fieldwork was conducted primarily in the main downstream part of Allaqi, but team members also carried out research in the upstream part and with Allaqi residents temporarily in Aswan. And Egyptian woman was employed for this research which has enabled the team to obtain more directly from women than had been the case in the past. Ababda and Bishiran society is extremely sex segregated and men cannot speak freely to women. Having a woman on the team has allowed the team to gain a fuller picture of patterns of fuelwood use. This is critical given that women are primarily collectors and users of domestic fuelwood