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dam-l (Fwd)
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Date sent: Tue, 20 Apr 1999 12:08:40 +0100
From: lori@irn.org (Lori Pottinger)
To: irn-safrica@igc.org
Kenyan lake drying up/LS
from The Nation (Nairobi)
Kenya Researchers appeal to stakeholders to save Lake Baringo
April 17, 1999
By Watoro Kamau
Nairobi - Two researchers yesterday called for concerted efforts by
the
government, local communities, scientists, policy makers and other
stakeholders to save Lake Baringo from drying up.
The researchers, Ms Peninah Aloo and Mr. N.N. Gichuru, made
the appeal in
separate presentations during the international conference on sustainable
management of shallow tropical waters.
The researchers argued that the combined effects of siltation and damming
of rivers leading to the lake, and cultivation of the catchment areas are
some of the factors which have led to the drop in the lake's water level.
The one-week seminar is organised by the Lake Naivasha Riparian
Association, Leicester University of United Kingdom, the World
Conservation Union (IUCN) and the Kenya Wildlife Service.
The conference, which is being held at the KWS Training Institute in
Naivasha, opened yesterday and is being attended by leading world
scientists and
experts.
In her presentation, Ms Aloo, a lecturer at Kenyatta University, said:
"Due to siltation and damming of the main rivers entering Lake Baringo,
its depth has continued reducing over the years."
In 1972, the mean depth of Lake Baringo, which is about 200 kilometres
away from Nakuru Town, was 6.5 metres as compared to 3.5 metres last year.
Fish catches have also declined over the years, from 350 metric tonnes in
1983 to 240 metric tonnes last year.
The four main species of fish in the lake comprise Oreochromis niloticus
at 80.8 per cent, Protopterus aethipicus at 9.2 per cent, Clarias
griepinnus at two per cent and Barbus gregorii at 0.06 per cent.
The researcher, who is also attached to the Acquatic Research Centre in
Chiromo, said the fifth species of fish, Labeo cyndricus, had disappeared
from the lake due to siltation and damming of rivers.
Rivers Pekerra and Endao, which empty their waters into the lake, have
been dammed to provide water for irrigation and domestic use.
Ms Aloo said the lake was of great importance to the local communities,
who use it for fishing and other purposes, and was also an important
tourist attraction as it is home to between 300 and 500 species of birds.
She recommended that the residents control the number of livestock they
keep to stop soil erosion and that the public be enlightened on the need
for conservation of various wetlands around the lake and where some of the
different species of birds stay.
Mr. Gichuru said most water bodies in Baringo have extreme muddiness.
"This is mainly due to increased wood demand, leading to soil erosion
along the water bodies and the catchment areas. The problem is compounded
by overgrazing caused by cultural values attached to the livestock," he
said.
Mr. Gichuru said that over 90 per cent of land which used to be under
forest within Baringo District has been destroyed over the past few years
to make room for human activities such as cultivation and grazing.
He said the most affected land is that designated as trust land, where all
people have equal rights of access and water catchment areas.
The researcher said that over 70 per cent of agricultural land was exposed
to soil erosion, especially in Tugen Hills.
He said that soil erosion in Kabartonjo was minimal compared with that in
Tugen Hills area.
Mr. Gichuru said most water from rivers Molo and Pekerra, has been
diverted for irrigation purposes.
Copyright © 1999 The Nation. Distributed via Africa News
Online(www.africanews.org). For information about the content or for
permission to
redistribute, publish or use for broadcast,
contact The Nation at the link above.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lori Pottinger, Director, Southern Africa Program,
and Editor, World Rivers Review
International Rivers Network
1847 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, California 94703, USA
Tel. (510) 848 1155 Fax (510) 848 1008
http://www.irn.org
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dianne Murray, Coordinator/Webmistress
Dam-Reservoir Working Group; Ottawa, Canada
Dam-Reservoir Impacts and Information Archive
http://www.sandelman.ottawa.on.ca/dams