GREAT RUAHA RIVER CRISIS

CURRENT CONTEXT: The Great Ruaha River in Tanzania is drying up, severely affecting ecosystems and local communities dependent on it.

 ABOUT THE GREAT RUAHA RIVER:

• Flows approximately 475 km through the Iringa, Dodoma, and Morogoro regions before joining the Rufiji River basin.
• Supports the USangu wetlands and Ruaha National Park, which are rich in biodiversity.
• Environmental Impact:
  • Dry-season water flow has drastically reduced since the 1990s.
  • Harmful effects on agriculture, tourism, and wildlife habitats.
• Key Causes:
  • Climate change (reduced rainfall and altered flow patterns).
  • Over-abstraction of water for irrigation and farming.