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Help save Lake Naivasha, urge conservationists



DESPERATE TIMES

Help save Lake Naivasha, urge conservationists

The major problems are pollution, human encroachment, overfishing and water abstraction

In Summary
  • There is an upsurge in the number of fishermen, some of them sacked flower farm workers.
  • Scientist warns illegal fishing will plunge the lake into more troubles.
by GILBERT KOECHNews Reporter
News
16 April 2020 - 23:00
HIPPO-INFESTED WATERS: Foot fishermen, including minors and former flower farm workers, engage in illegal fishing in Lake Naivasha Image: GEORGE MURAGE
HIPPO-INFESTED WATERS: Foot fishermen, including minors and former flower farm workers, engage in illegal fishing in Lake Naivasha Image: GEORGE MURAGE
Law enforcement agencies have been asked to move swiftly and stop illegal fishing in Lake Naivasha.
Lake Naivasha Riparian Association Thursday said the lake was a gem that should not be allowed to disappear.
Association manager Silas Wanjala said the lake was faced with massive pollution, human encroachment and water abstraction.
 
However, the upsurge in the number of illegal fishermen is a major concern for the association.
“The number of people fishing in the lake has gone up,” Wanjala said, attributing the increase to tens of sacked flower  who have turned to the lake for livelihood.
Flower farms around the lake as well as hotels have been shut to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Most workers were sent home without pay.
The closure of schools has forced children to join the fishers despite the dangers posed by hippos. The animals have killed more than 10 people this year.
Naivasha fisheries officer Nicholas Kagundu said the lake was under pressure due to the new entrants referred to as foot fishermen or poachers.
Kagundu noted that the closure of farms and hotels had contributed to the crisis.

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