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LAKE OL BOLOSSAT – The Next Battle Field on Resources!
Ever heard of a Lake in Central Province , Kenya ? Most people would say NO!
Lake Ol bolossat is an internal drainage basin lying to the South of Nyandarua County Council at an altitude of 2.34m. It is the only lake in the Central Province of Kenya. The lake receives water from the Aberdares, the Satima escarpment, Dundori hills and rainfall The wetlands is supposed to have a buffer zone of 4300 hectares and water mass buffer zone of approx 480 hectares. Lack of conservation efforts and accelerated human encroachment has resulted into serious environmental degradation. The future of this lake is very bleak! Government agents have done very little to conserve this highly potential economic resource. A recent pedestrian passage constructed very close to Manguo Hippo point continue to stress the Hippos and Birds yet the same attracts lots of international and domestic tourists visiting Thomson Falls all year round. What a contradiction? Three divisions ie Ol Kalou, Ol Joro Orok and Ndaragua all within Nyandarua District share the lake. Government, Local Authorities and Politicians are convinced of its importance in theory but this has not translated into actions mean while destructions continue unabated!
The Lakes potential a) The lake is the water lifeline of three provinces in Kenya ie North Eastern, Eastern and parts of Rift Valley through Ewaso Ng`iro river. Farmers along this river use it for domestic and irrigation purposes.
b) The famous Thomson Falls and thriving tourist industry in Samburu , Shaba , and Buffalo Springs is made possible by the flow of Ewaso Nyiro River .
c) The lake and its environs have a high Ecotourism potential, being a breeding area for a number of bird species. It has been documented to have some 20000 birds belonging to 82 species in the past. The bird count of 1999 ranked this lake as second to Lake Naivasha in bird abundancy.Some of the birds found here include the great crested crebe,white pelican, great egret, saddle billed stork, yellow billed duck, the lesser flamingo,starlings,black smith plovers and Owls. Some snipes breed here before flying back to Europe . It is habitat to some over one hundred and fifty hippos, which occupy the open water, marshes and swamps around Manguo, Ndemi and Ziwani.
d) Research potential for students in various fields
e) High Altitude sports training – Being the only wetland situated in a high altitude climatic area, it has great potential for promoting athletics training, cycling expeditions around the lake and water sports.
f) The lake support agriculture and livestock upon which many families depend on.
and has potential for bee keeping and papyrus harvesting.
Threats and Issues to Lake Ol bolossat Wetlands Lack of Community conservation awareness and education, Lack of commitment by Government and other Conservation agencies, Lack of access roads to the lake, Lack of marketing as a tourist destination, Deforestation of the surrounding water catchment areas, Encroachment on the riparian area, Massive siltation and Pollution of water due to draining of fertilizers and other agro based chemicals
Some hope at last,
Thomson falls Sport Camp & Hostel in Nyahururu among others have been aggressively campaigning on awareness and advocacy on Lake Ol bolossat that has seen the involvement of Kenya Wetlands Forum, Kenya Wildlife Services,NEMA,Provincial Adminstration,Local authority, National Museum of Kenya,Nature Kenya Youth Committee, Ministry of Tourism and local communities. These resulted in bird count held in August 2005, Lake Olbolossat Conservation workshop, Sept 2005 and World Wetlands Day activities whose theme was SAVE OL BOLOSSAT FROM EXITINCTION in February 2006
What Next? Intensive tree planting, Mammal inventory, Plant Species inventory, Bird count regularization, Tourism marketing and Continuous community education on environmental conservation.
(By Joseph Mbugua – Passion driven Conservationist and the ESOKs Eco Warrior Award Winner 2005, Email thompsonfall20@yahoo.co.uk ) Mobile 254 722 635149
26 th March 2006
THOMPSON FALLS SPORTS CAMP AND HOSTEL - A service provider for Adventure,Sports and Conservation in Kenya
» left by Alice from Nairobi (1 year 142 days ago.)
The Article is good and raises hopes of conserving the forgotten lake. I first heard about the lake in May, 2007 and made a commitment to visit this little known place. I made my visit on 1st July 2007 but was surprised that such a place existed in Central Province, the Province which I come from. It is my hope that something will be done to conserve this Lake.
Alice. Respond to this comment
» left by kibe from nairobi (1 year 115 days ago.)
Kibe Mwangi, Am suprised about our greed for land. Visited the lake on 29th July evening. Its expansive, approached it from the flower farm at Olojororok. Kikuyus are busy grazing? its a shame to the Commissioner of Lands who allocated this beauty for total mismanagement. Men its exciting! Hon Mwiraria must do something? Respond to this comment
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