Lake Victoria Reeling From Pesticides, Algae, Extinctions

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The Minister of Water, Lands and Environment, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, said a report by scientists indicated that the water quality of Lake Victoria had deteriorated.

"Increasing population pressure had brought about greater urbanisation and industrialisation, intensified agriculture malpractices leading to overgrazing, deforestation, soil erosion and greater use of pesticides," he said. "As a result, we are experiencing increased land degradation and deterioration of water quality coupled with increased misuse of the natural resources due to poor exploitation and processing practices."

Otafiire said the Lake Victoria basin was an economic growth zone in East Africa and the vast catchment areas of the lake were rich in natural resources and economic activities generating up to $12 billion annually in East Africa.

The scientists' report on fisheries said 200 fish species had disappeared from Lake Victoria in the last 40 years due to water pollution. It said the lake's commercial fishery resources had reduced to three species of fish namely the Nile Perch, Tilapia and Dagga. The report said the size of fish in the lake was growing smaller.

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