Tsavo national parks face risk of water shortage

By PHARES MUTEMBEI

Kwale, Kenya: The Tsavo catchment area is under threat and urgent steps must be taken to protect it, an environment expert has warned.

The Tsavo East and Tsavo West National parks now face the risk of water shortage due to human encroachment.

Addressing a workshop in Loitokitok, Kajiado County, Bancy Mati, a water and land management lecturer at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, said tourism and agriculture sectors stand to lose if the massive degradation of the Tsavo River and other water resources continue unabated.

“Competition for the water resource among its users in the region, which include wildlife, is straining the catchment area,” said Prof Mati, who is also the director of the Water Research and Resource Centre.

Kimeu Musau of the Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) said most of the water from the Tsavo catchment had been diverted for irrigation and livestock use.

Loss of biodiversity

“There is loss of biodiversity as a result of improper water use. Conflicts between humans and animals exist because of the resource,” said Mr Musau.

WRMA is mandated to develop principles and guidelines for the allocation of water resources as well as protect it from adverse impact.

 Rose Malenya, an assistant warden in Tsavo West National Park, said communities that live in the protected areas must stop harmful practices for the sake of wildlife.

“Thousands of wild animals depend on Tsavo River. It is very vital for wildlife because it is the only perennial river in the Tsavo conservation area,” said Ms Malenya.

“Increased diversion of the river to support agriculture is harming the animals. Gunny bags have been laid across river Rombo by farmers. The Tsavo has been defiled and now its future hangs in the balance,” said Ngonze Wilfred, a wildlife manager in Amboseli National Park.

 He stressed that the survival of the animals in Tsavo was impossible without Rombo River.