Jafo orders immediate eviction of encroachers from water sources

Iringa. Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment) Selemani Jafo has ordered all those who have encroached on water sources to leave immediately and action taken against them.

The minister has also directed the National Environment Management Council (Nemc) to employ the Water Act of 2022 in order to save the Great Ruaha River that is currently drying up.

Mr Jafo gave the order on behalf of Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa during a meeting held at the Ruaha National Park, involving eight ministers, regional commissioners and experts.

He said the meeting attendees had witnessed how this year’s weather had greatly changed, expressing that there were no rains that were expected to fall and until now there were still dry spells.

“The lack of water in the Ruaha National Park will cause the wildlife to die and fish also to die because of the diminished content of oxygen in the water that makes them survive.

“So, I am directing the relevant authorities to start taking action against all those diverting the river waters illegally, and continue to supervise all those with permits if they are used properly.”

“All Basin Water Boards must ensure that they enforce the Water Act of 2022 that directs us that legal action has to be taken against all those diverting water contrary to the procedures,” said Mr Jafo

“We have seen for ourselves in the bridge area that is used to having a lot water, but now it has dried up including other areas that have been turned into ponds, we even don’t know how the fate of the hippos living in that area will be, if it does not rain within the next two weeks,” said the minister.

The Minister also ordered the identification of livestock to be carried out because he suspected that some livestock may not be the property of the country, but may come from outside the country.

For her part, Natural Resources and Tourism minister Pindi Chana said all the leaders who arrived at the Ruaha National Park had seen and witnessed how the Great Ruaha River had started to dry up, urging Tanzanians to take the responsibility of conserving the natural resources they have.

The commissioner for the Tanzania National Parks, William Mwakilema, expressed that the major challenge currently facing the Ruaha National Park is the drying up of the Great Ruaha River caused by human activities carried out on its banks and the areas of the park.