WATER is a precious liquid that needs to be properly managed. Protection of water sources has been a priority of the government for over the years.

Under the Rufiji Basin Water Board (RBWB) the government through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism is implementing various projects targeted to enhance conservation of water sources as well as its usage. The Rufiji Water Basin is the largest in the country with 183,791 km2 which is 20 per cent of the country.

The projects which are part of the Resilient Natural Resource for Tourism and Growth (REGROW) project which is financed by the World Bank to a tune of $150 million (350bn/-) includes among other things restoration of rivers that have deviated from their natural positions, so that they flow it’s water to the Great Ruaha River, construction of five water troughs for livestock at a cost of 570m/-, tree planting as well as construction of 10 offices that are used by water user communities at a cost of 600m/-. 

The drinking troughs that are suitable for cattle, sheep, goats and camel have been constructed in Manienga, Ikanutwa, Wimbamahango, Itambaleo and Mabadaga villages in Mbarali District.

Access to clean and safe water 

Raison Mbende , Manienga Village Chairman in Mawindi ward, Mbarali District commended the government for constructing cattle taps saying previously livestock keepers were struggling to get water for their domestic animals especially during drought in August, September, October and November. 

Completion of the project will also see the health of livestock improved as they are drinking clean water, he told The Guardian, adding that they were previously sharing water with cattle.

“Our village with a population of 3,567 people had no a single water tap. We are thankful to the government through the REGROW project for constructing a water well as we now have access to clean and safe water,’ stated the village chair.

Vitalia Koga, a resident of Manienga village said: “This is the first time I am drinking water from a tap after 62 years; I was born and grown up in this village, there was no a water well. We used to get water from unsafe sources and use it for drinking and other domestic activities. Now that we have clean and safe water our health will be improved.”

 Koga added that they were spending up to six hours in search of water.

Chairman of livestock keepers in Manienga village, Jacob Kipanda said with an estimated 8,000 livestock which include cattle, cows and camel, it was difficult for livestock keepers to get water for the animals during dry season. He said presence of cattle taps have made their pastoral activities easier.

“These water taps have contributed to reduced conflicts between livestock keepers and farmers. They were frequently fighting for water as farmers conducted their agricultural activities at wetlands areas where cattle were also taken to drink water”, explained Kipanda, noting the government has also assisted them with Artificial Insemination experts for production of improvement cattle breeds.

Restoring rivers 

RBWB Great Ruaha Catchment Officer, Eng Abisai Chilunda spent 1.4bn/ to procure machinery (excavator and a bulldozer) that are used in restoring rivers that have deviated from their natural positions.

“We have successfully restored Kyoga and Mambi rivers. Kyoga River has been brought back hardly 10 kilometres and Mambi River 15 kilometers. These rivers had lost their natural position, thus causing floods during rains,” stated Eng Chilunda, noting the job has been done by local contractors. 

According to him, decisions to procure excavator and a bulldozer has enabled them to save a lot money as hiring the machineries would have cost 1m/- per day.

Sekilaga Mwakapesa is the Chamoto Village Executive Officer, she said: “We are thankful to the government through the REGROW project for restoring the Mambi River as we are no longer experiencing floods during rainfall season.” 

Mwakapesa added that following restoration of the river, pupils especially those at Iduya primary school can conveniently cross the river to and from school.

Uhambule Village Chairman, Robert Kinanda said there are no more floods at the area as all the water flows in its restored natural position. He said previously, villagers were experiencing floods which damaged both crops and properties.

“The floods were causing serious damages to our farms; some villager’s houses were destroyed, leaving them with no shelter. With this project the government has save our crops and houses,” remarked Kinanda. 

Protection of water sources 

The RBWB also assist villagers to establish water user associations to ensure communities have easy access to water resources as well as proper water usage. The RBWB has so far planted more than 170,000 trees along water sources across the ditrict.

Japhet Mtafya is the Chairman of a water user association for villagers near Mambi River; he said villagers are regularly reminded on the importance of protecting water sources.  

“We insist on them to respect the sixty meters rule which prohibits any form of human activities, which include conducting agricultural activities within sixty meters on both sides of a river bank and any other water source,” said Mtafya.

The sixty meters regulation is in accordance with The Water Resource Management Act No. 11 of 2009.

Chamoto Village Chairman, Oden Mwakyusa told the Guardian that they have been conducting quarterly village meeting to educate villagers on the importance of protecting water sources as well as tree planting. 

Atupakisye Julius, a resident of Uhambule village said: “We are grateful for the river restoration project. We always take part in environmental conservation activities as well as protection of water sources.”

Improved irrigation scheme

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism through the REGROW project is also implementing a project to further improve the Mbuyuni Kimani Irrigation Scheme.

The scheme located in Mbuyuni village, Mapogoro ward will see rice farmers benefiting through increased harvests. It is under the National Irrigation Commission.

Site Engineer from the National Irrigation Commission, Maoni Mwampashe said the scheme improvement project which is executed by local engineers will be completed within 18 months from March 2023. 

Eng Mwampashe added that the contractor has so far received 2.2bn/- of the total project cost which is 14.9bn/-. 

According to him, it will benefit villegers from five villages namely—Mbuyuni, Nyanguru, Madabaga, Itamba and Kimani.