Environmental Players in New Tree Planting Drive to Save Water Source

Stakeholders and Strategies

Morogoro, Tanzania – In a collaborative effort to restore degraded water sources and safeguard the region’s water supply, environmental stakeholders in Morogoro have launched an ambitious tree planting campaign.

Led by the Morogoro Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (MORUWASA), the initiative aims to plant two million trees within five years, focusing on the Upper Ngerengere catchment area.

Stakeholders:

• Morogoro Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (MORUWASA)
• Wami/Ruvu Basin Water Office (WRBWO)
• Morogoro Water Quality Laboratories
• World Waternet
• Kinara for Youth Evolution (KEFV)
• Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO)
• Mzinga Corporation

The campaign seeks to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainable agricultural practices within the community.

Protecting the Water Source

Lyang’onjo Kiguhe, the acting executive director of MORUWASA, emphasized the significance of restoring the degraded land cover surrounding the buffer zone of the Lukurunge River.

Key Water Source:

• Lukurunge River (Tributary to Mindu Dam)

Mindu Dam supplies 75% of MORUWASA’s water and serves as the primary source of water for domestic, commercial, and industrial use in the Morogoro region.

Kiguhe stressed the urgency of protecting the environment and water sources due to the increasing demand for water.

Adapting to Climate Change

Kiguhe urged the community to adapt to the impacts of climate change and invest in agroforestry to restore natural environmental functions and livelihoods.

Neglecting water sources led to severe water shortages in Dar es Salaam and parts of the Morogoro region last year.

Preservation of Mindu Dam is crucial to ensure a sustainable water supply for the region.

Collaboration for Success

The tree planting campaign is supported by various organizations, including World Waternet, which emphasizes the importance of preserving Mindu Dam.

Benefits of Tree Planting:

• Combat erosion
• Reduce siltation
• Safeguard water quality

Sophia Mwenda, the manager of the regional water quality laboratory, warned about the potential hazards of agricultural activities near the dam and water sources.

Hazards:

• Pollution from fertilizers and pesticides
• Complicated water treatment processes

A Hopeful Future

Through collective efforts and community engagement, stakeholders in Morogoro are hopeful that the tree planting campaign will restore degraded water sources and ensure a sustainable water supply for the region.

two million trees: The collaborative initiative in Morogoro aims to restore degraded water sources by planting two million trees in the Upper Ngerengere catchment area. With a focus on protecting the Lukurunge River, which is a key tributary to Mindu Dam, the campaign emphasizes the importance of preserving water sources to meet the region’s increasing demand. By raising awareness and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, stakeholders are working together to combat erosion, reduce siltation, and safeguard water quality. With community participation and resilience in the face of climate change, the future holds hope for a sustainable and thriving water supply in Morogoro, Tanzania.