Farmers and shepherds at Lake Jawa in the border area between the two Sudans say air strikes by the Sudanese army are destroying the environment.

Wild animals and birds have migrated from the area, raising fears amongst environmental researchers that the lake is contaminated.

'The area has been heavily subjected to aerial bombardment since May 2011, many farmers have abandoned the area', said researcher Muhammed Shaib Gudya.

'The damage to the environment is a war crime, water resources and agriculture have been extensively damaged or destroyed', he added.

He called for humanitarian organisations to urgently help the area with access to water on World Water Day 2012, with its focus on 'water and food security'.