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LAKE KARIBA

17th April, 2024

LAKE KARIBA

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Picture Courtesy: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/brief/the-kariba-dam-rehabilitation-project-fact-sheet

Context: Drought affected Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, impacting both human communities and wildlife in the region.

Impact on Local Communities

  • Survival and Livelihoods: Fishermen rely directly on Lake Kariba for their livelihoods. Reduced water levels lead to diminished fish spawning areas, resulting in lower catches and economic losses. Increased human-crocodile conflicts as crocodiles raid fishers' nets, prompting retaliatory actions that endanger fishers.
  • Human-Wildlife Conflict: Water scarcity drives wild animals closer to human settlements in search of water, leading to heightened conflicts between humans and wildlife over limited resources.
  • Poaching: Wildlife encroaching on human habitats increases opportunities for poaching as animals seek water and food, exacerbating conservation challenges.
  • Tourism Decline: Reduced water levels disrupt wildlife habitats and limit tourist activities like game drives and fishing, impacting local tourism revenues and employment.
  • Water Access: Decreased water levels necessitate longer journeys for women and children to collect water, posing risks from encounters with wildlife and straining daily life.
  • Trade Disruption: Cross-border traders face economic challenges due to reduced fishing opportunities, impacting livelihoods and regional trade dynamics.

Government Interventions

  • Renewable Energy Transition: Invest in renewable energy projects like wind and solar to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on hydroelectric power during droughts.
  • Wildlife Management: Implement strategies to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, such as directing human activity away from high animal activity zones and increasing public awareness.
  • Traditional Practices: Support local traditional rainmaking ceremonies to promote community resilience and preserve cultural practices associated with water management.
  • Community Engagement: Involve local communities in water governance and decision-making, leveraging indigenous knowledge to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
  • Capacity Building: Provide resources and training to communities for sustainable water use and conservation practices during drought periods.
  • Cross-Border Collaboration: Coordinate with neighbouring countries like Zambia to address shared challenges related to water resource management and conservation.

Lake Kariba

  • Lake Kariba, situated between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is the largest artificial lake and reservoir in terms of volume globally.
  • It was formed by the construction of the Kariba Dam across the Zambezi River; it serves vital functions ranging from hydroelectric power generation to supporting diverse ecosystems and local communities.
  • Lake Kariba hosts diverse fish populations, including the introduction of kapenta (similar to sardines) from Lake Tanganyika, which has spurred a thriving commercial fishery.
  • The lake sustains a rich ecosystem with notable inhabitants such as Nile crocodiles, hippopotami, and gamefish like tigerfish.
  • The surrounding areas are home to large terrestrial mammals, including elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, buffaloes, and numerous plains game species.

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PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Which two countries border Lake Kariba?

A) Zambia and Zimbabwe

B) Zambia and Malawi

C) Zimbabwe and Mozambique

D) Botswana and Namibia

Answer: A