Lake Victoria Under Threat

in Conservation by Araneta&Tan — August 4, 2009 at 4:07 pm | 0 comments

Lake Victoria is the biggest lake in Africa, and one of the biggest in the world. In fact, at 26,600 square miles, this immense body of water is more like an ocean than a lake. It has been a lure for travellers for generations, and supports millions of people in East Africa through its valuable resources. However, despite its natural beauty and regional importance, Lake Victoria is under threat.

Despite its huge surface area, Lake Victoria is a relatively shallow lake. It is also only supplied by a limited amount of rivers, and all of these factors make it particularly vulnerable to climatic changes. Indeed, it has dried up completely on no less than three occasions in the past, coinciding with previous ice ages. However, the problem is now reoccurring, and this time overpopulation and climate change are both playing their part.

Sharing borders with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, Lake Victoria provides a lifeline for millions of people. In fact, 30 million people live in the area of the river basin and depend either directly or indirectly on it for their survival. However, a growing population has led to both a reduction in the amount of vegetation surrounding the lake and the increasing problem of over-fishing, which are all damaging the ecosystem.

The UN has already expressed its concern at the problems facing the Lake Victoria. In September 2008, a meeting was held by the UN Habitat Executive Secretary and ministers from the five countries in the catchment area of the lake: Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi. During the meeting the UN asked these countries to do more to protect the lake for future generations, so concerned is the body about the future of the region.

Despite the problems faced by Lake Victoria, it is also a draw to thousands of tourists because of its ease of access and its wild beauty. People come here to enjoy the views, to take a boat trip across the lake, to go fishing or to watch the spectacular wildlife. Bird watching is hugely popular, with cormorants, egrets and fish eagles resident in the lake. There are also crocodiles and hippos in the lake, although catching a sighting of one of these is far trickier.

It is quite clear that if people are going to enjoy this lake in the future then more needs to be done to look after it. If you decide to visit the lake during a trip to East Africa, you will see first-hand its beauty but also the problems that are blighting it. If you can go with a tour company that has environmental credentials then this can help to inject some of your cash into local community projects. There are also conservation organisations operating in the regions, such as Friends of Lake Victoria and ECOVIC, that you can support.

Lake Victoria is a fantastic place to visit, and will provide you with stunning scenery and a great adventure. But it needs protecting. If you are lucky enough to visit this special area then you will witness its beauty first-hand, but tourism can only last as long as conservation is taken seriously. If you visit Lake Victoria then you will realise that it is not just important for the people and animals that inhabit the region, but for us all.