Being the largest lake in Africa, Lake Victoria continues to remain an important natural resource to the countries that border it. Located at the intersection between Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, this lake is home to the highest concentration of freshwater fish species on the continent. While these three countries are often credited with being the home of Lake Victoria, there are actually a total of ten contributing countries. Ethiopia, Burundi, Congo-Kinshasa, and Rwanda all have land in the basin of Lake Victoria. While it is one of the more recognizable names, many don’t realize that Lake Victoria is a part of the Nile River basin.
Most of the lake is surrounded by Kenya and Tanzania, with Uganda taking up around one tenth of the coastline. As the northernmost of the Great Lakes of Africa, it is located high enough to not risk flooding from other major rivers. It is the second largest in Africa when it comes to surface area and the largest when it comes to volume.
At one point in time, it was thought to be the reservoir for the source of the Nile River. While this is not the case, it remains an important water source to the rivers that feed into it, including the Kagera in Tanzania, the Kafu in Uganda, and the Mara and Nzoia in Kenya. Additionally, it’s estimated that Lake Victoria has a total of twenty-seven million people that rely on it for water.
Being in such close proximity to two of the poorest countries in the world, both Kenya and Tanzania, Lake Victoria is often seen as a key to future developments. With Africa making leaps and bounds when it comes to economic growth, the lake, and its inhabitants, are starting to see the effects.
In the early 2000’s the Nile Perch had made their way into the lake, complicating things even further. This species can grow to weigh up to two hundred pounds and consume or out compete with other species in the area. For many fishermen, this introduced species was seen as a good way to supplement some of their income. However, this has caused drastic declines in other native species of fish, resulting in restrictions on what can be brought out of the lake, as well as taxes on introduced species.
As the population of countries bordering Lake Victoria increase, the natural resources are not just finding themselves more in demand, but at a much faster rate. This has led to a wide range of conservation projects, from establishing Marine Protected Areas, to species specific regulations.
Modern Challenges for Lake Victoria Counties
Due to the demanding nature of the modern world, there are a variety of challenges that arise from non-sustainable population growth. This causes other developing countries to become strained, both economically and environmentally. Increased nutrient runoff, agricultural runoff, and increased water usage can have drastic effects on the health of the lake, and the creatures that live within it.
The native fisheries are still the main source of income for many local people, however, with unsustainable practices, like overfishing, fish populations will continue to drop. As this happens, prices will go up, and lake trade will drop, causing a number of other economic issues.
The growth of industry around Lake Victoria, mainly wood combustion and transportation, have led to increased air pollution. This causes a number of issues, from acid rain to smog, further depleting the air quality. Additionally, because of the phosphorus from runoff draining into the lake, eutrophication has dramatically increased.
Geo-Political Disputes Between Lake Victoria Countries
Geo-political disputes are a common hurdle for many of the countries that surround Lake Victoria. These disputes can range from disagreement over land rights, to economic disputes. Unfortunately, this does little to ease tensions, and in a worst case scenario, can lead to direct confrontation.
In 2017, two countries, Burundi and Tanzania, clashed over a barrier that was placed across the Nile River between them. The barrier was initially built by the Burundian government to protect against potential invaders. This action was seen as a threatening move by the Tanzanian government and a state of tension arose afterwards. Thankfully, the problem was resolved through diplomatic negotiations, preventing any potential conflict.
Despite these few instances, it’s not all doom and gloom in the circle of Lake Victoria countries. In 2000, the five countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Burundi established an organization known as the East African Community. This organization was created to promote cooperation among the countries, fostering collaboration and mutually beneficial initiatives.
Increasing Pollution and Deforestation Around Lake Victoria
Along with the human problems mentioned earlier, the environment is not doing so well either. While it’s something that is often overlooked due to our myopic view of the world, deforestation is happening all around Lake Victoria, in both a large and small scale.
Pollution, including industrial and agricultural runoff, has been slowly increasing in the lake’s tributary rivers, leading to direct effects on the environment. Much of this comes from the world’s reliance on fertilizers and pesticides, which ultimately find their way into the water systems.
The effects of this are obvious, as toxic materials build up in the food chain. From algae blooms to directly consuming the fish, humans are increasingly exposed to the environmental issues around Lake Victoria. As a result, many of the local inhabitants are switching to other sources of food, such as rice.
Measures to Protect Lake Victoria’s Ecosystem
One of the primary methods that governments in the area are using to protect the lake’s ecosystem is through the UN Convention on Biodiversity. This program creates a number of programs and initiatives that are aimed at helping the environment recover from the abuse it has been through.
Such techniques include establishing buffer zones, in which development is limited and human interaction is discouraged or prohibited. This creates a protective environment that can allow native species to flourish, while still providing many of the services that humans may rely on.
In addition to this, many organizations have launched campaigns aimed at promoting sustainability and reducing pollution. This can come in the form of public education initiatives, but more often these days as initiatives related to renewable energy and better farming practices. These measures create an environment that is more stable and less vulnerable to ecological damage.
Future of Lake Victoria
While much of the news coming from around Lake Victoria appears to be rather bleak, one cannot overlook the fact that much of this is slowly changing for the better. The governments of the countries that surround the lake are slowly creating policies that are more environmentally friendly, creating a path for growth that can benefit both humans and the environment.
Initiatives like the UN Convention has reduced the amount of major development near the lake, while providing many of the necessary services that industry might have otherwise provided. Additionally, countries are taking it upon themselves to improve their infrastructure, leading to improved water quality and reduced pollution.
When looking at the future of Lake Victoria, there is much to be hopeful for. With the proper measures being taken, the lake will have a much better chance of remaining healthy and productive in the years to come.
Toxic Human Waste from Lake Victoria Countries
Even with all the measures taken to reduce runoff and pollution from industry, one of the biggest challenges for the lake continues to be human waste. Without proper sanitation, much of the water coming from towns near the lake becomes contaminated, leading to reduced water quality.
In many regions around Lake Victoria, thousands rely on polluted water sources for everyday needs. This water, often released from agricultural farms or from human waste, leads to the spread of water-borne illnesses. Many organizations have stepped up to provide various solutions, from education to initiatives that provide access to clean water.
However, while these solutions provide immediate relief, they cannot solve the problem entirely. Due to the sheer amount of human waste being produced and the rate of population growth in the area, new measures must be taken in order to effectively reduce the amount of waste being released into the lake.
Impacts and Perceptions of Lake Victoria People
Regardless of the challenges that face it, Lake Victoria will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who call it home. The lake not only serves as an economic stronghold for many of these countries, but it is also an important cultural symbol for the people living near its shore.
These countries have figured out how to work together and to create sustainable solutions that are beneficial to everyone involved. From introducing fishing quotas to deeper conservation efforts, these countries are slowly forming the world’s most unique freshwater ecosystem.
But the challenges remain. With human waste and industrial runoff reaching an all-time high, the future remains uncertain. It’s up to the people living near the lake to continue to promote sustainability and respect for their environment, as it’s through this kind of cooperation that we will finally be able to find a solution.
