Sunday, November 10, 2013

TOPIC TWO WATER RESOURCES UTILIZATION GE 340

TOPIC TWO
WATER RESOURCES UTILIZATION
Agricultural water use
o   The main objective of the national agricultural policy is to ensure food security at national and household level.
o   In the year 2002 the sector contributed of 48.2% of the Growth Domestic Product (GDP). Currently agricultural growth continues to be closely aligned to the GDP growth, implying continued strong influence in the national economy despite the decline in GDP contribution. Between 2000 and two 2008 the agricultural sector growth rate averaged 4.6%.
o   Tanzania has about 43 million hectors of land suitable for agricultural production of which 6.3 million hectors are under cultivation. This represents about 15% of the arable land.
o   Agriculture which is mostly rain – fed remains susceptible to drought as well as the inadequate and erratic nature of rainfall
o   Irrigated agriculture protects against drought and ensures food security. It is a means for poverty alleviation as more and more people go into cultivation of irrigated high value crops such as vegetables and fruits.
o   Irrigation potential in the country is estimated to be at 150, 000 million hectares, of which only about 150,000 hectares were under irrigation in 2002.
o   80% of the irrigated area is under traditional irrigation schemes with low level water use efficiencies.
o   The remaining 20% are large centrally managed irrigation schemes owned by public and private institutions and individuals.
o   In the Pangani and Rufiji basins, Irrigation schemes are located upstream of major hydro power plants thus the two sectors are competing for the same source of water.
o   Agricultural activities also contribute to water pollution from the use of agrochemicals, which are washed by rain water and find their way to water sources.

 The industrial water use sector
o   This sector contributed about 8.3% to Tanzania’s GDP in 1999 and 8.4% in 2000.
o   In terms of growth the sector grew by 4.8% in the year 2000 compared with 3.6% in 1999.
o   Industrial performance depends, among other factors on reliable water supply.
o   Based on economic growth rates estimated for the period 1995 – 2025 water will be needed for the anticipated growth of the industrial sector
o   The contribution of this sector is said to be more than tripled by the year 2025
o   The Tanzania development vision predicts transforming the economy from a low productivity agricultural economy to a semi industrialized country and to increase to increase the sectors contribution to the GDP.
o   This implies that adequate and reliable water supply is required for the growth of this sector.
o   The growth in the industrial sector will have significant impact in water supply, and also in terms of potential pollution and degradation of water resources due to industrial solid wastes and effluents if not properly disposed off, but are allowed into water bodies without adequate treatment.
The Mining Sector
o   Mining is an important economic sector for Tanzania and is growing rapidly.
o   The vision for the mineral sector for the next 25 years is to have a strong, vibrant, well organized private sector.
o   The mining prastatals have also been privatized and the sector opened up to private investors due to trade liberalization process, as the result the sector has attracted significant foreign investors
o   Private mining sectors are into two main groups
a)    Artisan and small scale mining, dominated by Tanzanians
b)    Large scale mining conducted by mostly by foreign investors
o   The contribution of the mining sector to the GDP increased from 2.1% in the year 1999 to 2.3% in 2000. In the year 2008 its contribution rose to 13.7%.
o   The sector had a growth rate of 13.9% in the year 2000 compared with 9.1% in 1999.
o   The government is striving at providing the conducive environment to ensure a rapid expansion of the sector.
o   This includes motivating and promoting large and small scale mining operations which are environmentally sound.
o   Large quantity of water is used during processing and discharged thereafter if contaminated can pollute water sources.

Energy sector
o   More than 60% of energy produced in the country is from hydropower plants and more potential is available for development, for instance in River Mara and River Kagera.
o   However development of hydropower in these rivers requires agreements with riparian countries
o   Hydropower is not a consumptive water user but a renewable source of energy.
o   However hydropower development in the country is associated with large storage reservoirs situated in areas with high evaporation losses.
o   For example losses from Mtera and Nyumba ya Mungu reservoirs are above 30% of the total inflow into these reservoirs.
o   Water sources for hydropower generation will be developed especially in the Kilombero sub basin of the Rufiji basin, the Rufiji River, and in Lake Nyasa basin.
o   Main Hydropower issues include management of reservoirs, conflicts with downstream and upstream users and negative impacts on the environment.

 Fisheries sector
o   Tanzania is rich in marine and inland fishery resources.
o   The fisheries sector has a lot of economic and social significance to the country as it contributes greatly towards poverty alleviation and food security.
o   It also provides employment and livelihood to a substantial number of people and promotes recreation and tourism
o   The sector’s contribution to the GDP in year 2000 was 2.7% while in 1999 it contributed 2.6%. Its contribution rose to 5.3% in 2008.
o   The main sector issue and concern is water availability of acceptable quality.

Environmental flow
o   In – stream flows or environmental flows and levels are necessary for riparian biodiversity, wetland systems, freshwater – seawater balance in deltas and estuaries.
o   Reduction of water of water volume affects aquatic life by reducing dissolved oxygen and supply of nutrients.
o   The effluents created by urban water use, if not treated, pollute surface and groundwater resources.
o   Additionally, overexploitation of water resources which does not take into account other uses is also a source of environmental degradation.
o   There are numerous permanent and seasonal freshwater swamps.
o   These together with flood plain areas cover a total area of 2.7 million hectares, they enable the development of special types of plants and animals which are important for environmental conservation and often among the most productive of natural environments.
o   They usually contain rare and endangered species of plants, fish, and other animals.
o   The importance of the environment is manifested by such activities as tourism, fishing and hunting.
o   They also play an important role in the hydrological cycle, flood control, sediment retention, and nutrient recycling and microclimate stabilization.
o   The deltas of coastal rivers are especially important as nursery areas aquatic life, tourism and recreation.
Importance of environmental flows
o   In – stream flows or environmental flows and levels are necessary for riparian biodiversity, wetland systems, freshwater – seawater balance in deltas and estuaries.
o   There are numerous permanent, seasonal freshwater swamps and flood plain areas which together cover 2.7 million hectares in Tanzania.
o   They enable the development of special types of plants and animals which are important for environmental conservation and often among the most productive of natural environments.
o   They also play an important role in the hydrological cycle, flood control, sediment retention, and nutrient recycling and microclimate stabilization.
o   The deltas of coastal rivers are especially important as nursery areas for aquatic life, tourism and recreation.
Threats to environmental flows
o   Stream flows or environmental flows are increasingly being modified when water is withdrawn for agriculture, urban use, and hydropower and when it is not returned to the river through drainage or groundwater flow.
o   Thus the flow of many rivers has been reduced or seasonally altered changing the size and frequency of floods, the length and severity of droughts, and adversely affecting ecosystems.
o   Indeed, a number of rivers run dry before they reach their destination.
o   Reduction of water of water volume affects aquatic life by reducing dissolved oxygen and supply of nutrients.
o   The effluents created by urban water use, if not treated, pollute surface and groundwater resources.
o   Additionally, overexploitation of water resources which does not take into account other uses is also a source of environmental degradation.

 
 Wildlife and tourism
A partially submerged hippopotamus tries to keep cool in the hot African sun

Flamingo birds  are  among the well known water birds 
 
o   The wildlife sector contributes almost 2% to the GDP in 2000. Tourism is among the sectors with great economic growth potential for the nation
o   Our country has 804 km of unpolluted beach areas. In addition there exists beautiful waterfalls, valleys, large rivers, hot springs, National Parks, which offer outstanding experience for tourists and recreation purposes.
o   Examples of hot spring in Tanzania include Chemka near Moshi town in Kilkimanjaro, lake Manyara hot springs,Galanos hot springs in Amboni Tanga, and Maji moto hot spring in Katavi
Chemka natural hot springs Hidden by  beautiful green forest

      Depletion of water in some rivers during dry season, disrupted the lives of animals, and thus result in serious consequences to the tourism industry and national economy.


 Domestic water supply
o   Tanzania’s population is currently is estimated to be more than 40 million.
o   Among these 80% live in rural areas. The projected population by 2025 is expected to be more than 78 Million with 60% living rural areas.
o   The growth of population will have a negative impact on domestic water supply and in sanitation and sewerage services if appropriate measures are not taken.
o   By 2002 the water services coverage for municipal and industrial water supply was 73% and for rural water supply it was 50%.
o   In many areas of the dry central part of the country water is so scarce that even water for personal hygiene cannot easily be found.
o   People especially women and children, walk long distances to fetch water.
o   The national economy suffers because of inadequate water supplies to the urban and rural areas.

 Wildlife and tourism
o   Tanzania’s wildlife protected area covers 28% of the total land area, of which 19% is devoted to wildlife in Protected national Parks where no human settlement is allowed.
o   The rest of the area wildlife co-exists with humans.
o   The wildlife sector contributes almost 2% to the GDP in 2000. Tourism is among the sectors with great economic growth potential for the nation.
o   For instances our country has 804 km of unpolluted beach areas. In addition there exists beautiful waterfalls, valleys, large rivers, hot springs, National Parks, which offer outstanding experience for tourists and recreation purposes.
o   Depletion of water in some rivers during dry season, disrupted the lives of animals, and thus result in serious consequences to the tourism industry and national economy.

 Forestry and beekeeping
o   Tanzania has about 33.5 million hectares of forests and woodlands. Out of this about two thirds consist of woodlands on public lands that are under enormous pressure from expansion of agricultural activities, livestock grazing, fires and other human activities.
o   The forest offer habitat for wildlife, bee keeping, unique natural ecosystems and genetic resources, and have an important effect on the conservation of water resources.
o   Forestry and bee keeping contributed 3% to the GDP in 2000

Navigation
o   Tanzania has few potentially navigable rivers due to the sharp relief contrast between the coastal line and inland.
o   Nevertheless, the rivers such Rufiji, Kilombero, and Madagarasi, are used for transportation to some extent.
o   There are also some ferry crossings, which require maintenance of adequate river flows and levels.
o   The three Great East Africa Lakes form important national and inter – country navigational water bodies
o   Oil spills and wastes associated with navigation vessels are detrimental to the quality of the water.

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