A DESCRIPTIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE WETLANDS OF THE LAKE-VICTORIA BASIN IN TANZANIA

Lake Victoria is the second largest freshwater body in the world by su rface area. It is a very important water body for the livelihood of pe ople, particularly those living in its basin. The lake is currently fa cing many problems such as serious environmental degradation, pollutio n and overfishing. Mismanagement of wetlands which is another problem threatening the hydrological and ecological balance of the lake is dis cussed. This report provides: an overview of the Lake Victoria ecosyst em; describes major wetlands of the Lake Victoria basin in Tanzania an d their uses; identifies water supply, agriculture, fishing, conversio n into other uses (mainly residential); and cattle grazing as main use s of wetlands; and discusses threats and changes faced by wetlands. Di rect anthropogenic activities such as irrational uses of wetlands for agriculture, pollution and conversion of wetlands into settlement area s are responsible for wetland degradation and loss. Problems of sedime ntation as a result of agricultural activities, hydrological changes o f wetlands due to road construction and subsidence of wetlands due to excessive extraction of water are indirect results of human actions. D rought is the common natural cause for the change or loss of wetlands in the lake basin. Absence of wetlands policy, conflicting sectoral po licies on issues related to wetlands, deficient planning concepts, lim ited information and awareness on the importance of wetlands and absen ce of an institution to deal specifically with wetland management cont ribute to degradation and loss of wetlands. A number of recommendation s for sustainable use of wetlands are put forward. Formulation of the National Wetlands Policy and launching of awareness campaigns on wise use of wetlands are recommended. The presentation also emphasises carr ying out of research on the propel utilisation of wetlands, monitoring of wetland uses and provision of sustainable exploitation of wetland resources extension services. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.