Protect Lake Victoria and our other Lakes from Pollution
-
- April 21, 2021
Water pollution has been a major problem in Kenya affecting animals that depend on water bodies i.e. fish and other aquatic animals.
Lake Victoria which is the largest fresh water lake in Africa, shared between Kenya 6%, Uganda 45% and Tanzania 49%, is at high risk of dying from pollution.
It was recently reported that fish are dying in Lake Victoria due to lack of oxygen.
What could be the possible reasons?
It’s not only Lake Victoria but also other lakes that fishing is carried out at large.
Kenya has a high number of mining plants and factories and they dump toxic substances into rivers. Most toxic substances in Lake Victoria are dumped from Kakamega and Kisumu which is an industrial city.
147kg Nile Perch from Lake Victoria
Release of raw sewage pollutants that are not treated has endangered fish and this has led to poor economy for the fish industry.
Excessive nutrients from raw sewage has led to increase in water hyacinth, which depletes dissolved oxygen harming fish and other water animals, it is also an obstacle in water transportation.
Climate change has also caused a surge of fish population, increased warm temperatures makes the water evaporate hence the cause.
The government needs to initiate plans to preserve lakes because most people’s livelihoods depends on it’s resources. They should also ban increased human activities on lakes to prevent fish scarcity.
