Mutasim Adam (ELP 2022) | Environmental Inspector, Higher Council of Environment, Urban and Rural Promotion, Sudan

I’m still working as an environmental inspector and I still share the same dreams I had growing up. I remember when I was young I got the idea that I had to be a cop like my dad –– it sounded cool and I could help others. But then I grew up and my concern changed; something else caught my eye. I realized through being a wildlife-ist I could also help others too, and that we won't have a society if we destroy our biodiversity, natural treasures, and what we love. However, the ambition was soon forgotten, and a couple of years later, my new goal became being an environmentalist. That dream came true after I got my M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences. I had probably seen some wildlife videos of inspiring flocks of migratory birds on TV when they showed the inspiring flying.

Mutasim birdwatching at Sunut Forest, located in the center of Khartoum state, the capital of Sudan. It hosts considerable biological diversity, particularly of birds.

Currently, I am leading a project on environmental assessment to conserve migratory soaring birds in urban landfills in Khartoum, Sudan. The goals include sustainable and environmentally-friendly development and providing a baseline of information for future studies concerning the migratory birds of the landfills. Additionally, I’m working to enhance the future waste management sector in Sudan to avoid the creation of environmental hazards expected from inefficient waste management. These environmental hazards include the consumption of non-organic or toxic waste and fatalities from infrastructures nearby, which cause injury, illness, and death. The outputs of the project will be used for increasing waste management opportunities, encouraging stakeholders to undertake conservation programs in the waste sector at landfills in Sudan, and providing a future database at local level in the landfill. In addition, the project can also help with reaping local benefits from ecotourism development such as bird-watching at appropriate and bird-friendly waste sites, while also conserving migratory birds.

Mutasim birdwatching at Tuti Island which is considered as one of the hot spot bird areas in Khartoum, Sudan.

In addition, I was recently selected to attend a course on Environmental Impact Assessment: Development Projects at the Environment Protection and Research Institute, Hyderabad, India under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program of the Government of India. The aim of the course is to provide training on environmental planning, including assessment of the environmental impact of development projects has been made mandatory in developing countries. Furthermore, the training is designed to introduce the concept, history, outlines and methodology adopted, placing it within the framework of sustainable development and exposing the trainees to some of the case studies in the field. The training imparts knowledge on yoga, Indian culture, historical places, and design thinking. The course was a huge eye-opener for me as an environmental inspector. I’m looking forward to applying the valuable knowledge learned at this training towards the benefit of both people and our environment.

Other great news is that I was given the excellent opportunity to participate in the Tropentag 2023 conference in Berlin, Germany, as an alumni of the Centre for International Postgraduate Studies of Environmental Management, Dresden University of Technology. It will be held under the umbrella topic: "Competing pathways for equitable food systems transformation: trade-offs and synergies” and I’d be happy to meet up with any Beahrs ELP family members who intend to attend.

Mutasim receiving a certificate. The Valedictory was hosted by Smt. A. Vani Prasad, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government of Telangana and Director General at the Environment Protection Training and Research Institute.