Tanzania: Human Activities Blamed for Dam's Depleting Water

Dodoma — NYUMBA ya Mungu Dam's water level has declined by 25 per cent due to various reasons including environmental degradation and illegal fishing activities, the National Assembly was told yesterday.
The Minister of Livestock Development and Fisheries, Dr David Mathayo David, said the dam was built between 1965 and 1968. He said the dam is jointly under the control of Mwanga, Moshi Rural and Simanjiro district councils.
The minister said this while answering Ms Betty Machangu's question, who wanted to know efforts being made to save the dwindling dam. Ms Machangu told the House that some people from neighbouring countries were living around the dam illegally and engaged in fishing activities.
The minister told the House that people living around the dam were engaged in fishing, farming and trade. He said fish available in the dam include tilapia, catfish, fresh water fish and sardines.
The minister said the ministry in collaboration with district councils controls fishing activities by providing licences to residents of the area only. He said in 2012 a total of 102 licences were given to residents of the area. He added that the councils have established groups for protection of the dam to ensure its sustainability.