In front of the Tabalak pond, Niger, the two Tuaregs on their camels form a striking contrast: one could better imagine them in the gorges of the Tassili. The trees are dead, although their roots are in the water. This is due to the fact that a pool is by definition temporary and can form after a rain that fell years after the last one. Combine this with the fact that when pasture becomes scarce, shepherds cut off all the branches that still have some leaves on them for the needs of their flock. The terrible drama in the Sahel has been made much worse by this custom. - Niger - 1970
